Basic properties of grain by-products and their viability in polypropylene composites

The objective was to study the potential of grain by-products (husk) of grains such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L; German name is Weizen) and rice (Oryza sativa) as reinforcements for thermoplastics as an alternative to or in combination with wood fibres. Prior to composites preparation, the chemical components of fibres such as cellulose, hemi-cellulose, lignin, starch, protein and fat were measured and the surface chemistry and functionality of grain by-products were studied using EDX and FT-IR. Structural constituents (cellulose, starch) were found in wheat husk (W) equal 42%, in rice husk 50% and in soft wood 42%, respectively. Thermal degradation characteristics, the bulk density, water absorption and the solubility index were also investigated. Wheat husk (W) and rice husk were found thermally stable at temperatures as low as 178 °C and 208 °C, respectively. The particle morphology and particle size were investigated using microscopy. Water absorption properties of the fibres were studied to evaluate the viability of these fibres as reinforcements. Polypropylene composites were fabricated using a high speed mixer and an ensuing injection moulding process with 40 wt% fibre. The tensile and Charpy impact strength of the resulting composites were investigated. The tensile elongation at break was found to 75% for wheat husk (W) composites and 23% for rice husk composites better than soft wood composites. Rice husk composites showed 13% better Charpy impact strength than soft wood composites. Due to coupling agent, tensile strength of composites found to improve 25% for soft wood, 35% for wheat husk (W) and 45% for rice husk.     

Optimization of formic/acetic acid delignification of Miscanthus × giganteus for enzymatic hydrolysis using response surface methodology

A Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the pretreatment parameters of a formic/acetic acid delignification treatment of Miscanthus × giganteus for enzymatic hydrolysis. The effects of three independent variables, namely cooking time (1, 2 and 3 h), formic acid/acetic acid/water ratio (20/60/20, 30/50/20 and 40/40/20) and temperature (80, 90 and 107 °C) on pulp yield, residual Klason lignin content, concentration of degradation products (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural) in the black liquor, and enzymatic digestibility of the pulps were investigated. The major parameter influencing was the temperature for pulp yield, delignification degree, furfural production and enzymatic digestibility. According to the response surface analysis the optimum conditions predicted for a maximum enzymatic digestibility of the glucan (75.3%) would be obtained using a cooking time of 3 h, at 107 °C and with a formic acid/acetic acid/water ratio of 40/40/20%. Glucan digestibility was highly dependent on the delignification degree.     

Fractionation of flax shives with pressurized aqueous ethanol

Fractionation of flax shives into major biopolymer constituents, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, was carried out with pressurized aqueous ethanol in a pressurized low-polarity water extractor. The effect of processing parameters such as temperature, ethanol concentration, flow rate, sample size and solvent/feed ratio on the simultaneous extraction of hemicelluloses and lignin was determined. More than 80% of total hemicelluloses and ∼78% of total lignin were removed simultaneously in a single step under the following conditions: 180 °C, 30% (v/v) ethanol concentration, 3 mL/min flow rate, and 45 mL/g solvent/feed ratio. Under these extraction conditions, cellulose degradation was negligible. Further, the separation of lignin from hemicelluloses was carried out using two simple alternative methodologies based on precipitation. Since no acidic or alkali catalysts were used, the degradation of biopolymers was negligible and the oligomer/monomer ratio of sugars was 825:1. Characterization of fractionated biopolymers was carried out with scanning electron microscopy and a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). FT-IR spectra of isolated lignin and hemicelluloses showed that both polymers were comparable to commercially available products.     

Accumulation of cadmium by flax and linseed cultivars in field-simulated conditions: A potential for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils

The possibility of use of two technological types of Linum usitatissimum L., namely flax (grown for fibre) and linseed (grown for seed), for phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd) from Cd-contaminated soil was studied. A four-year field-simulated experiment was carried out with 6 flax and 4 linseed cultivars in order to study organ accumulation of Cd by flax and linseed plants at artificial concentration range 10-1000 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil. The most Cd was accumulated by roots, followed by shoots, while reproductive parts (capsules and seeds) played comparably smaller role. The increasing soil Cd concentration resulted in increasing Cd accumulation by roots, while transport to above-ground plant parts was progresivelly inhibited. Even high soil Cd concentrations (1000 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil) had not dramatic negative effect on plant growth and development. Cultivar differences as well as the differences between both technological Linum types have been found in Cd accumulation (flax being better Cd accumulator than linseed). Nevertheless, the recorded variation between technological types and within cultivars is in multiples of Cd values (units of mg Cd kg⁻¹ DW), not in orders of magnitude as needed for practical phytoextraction. A significant year-to-year effect on plant growth/development resulting in high variation in Cd accumulation was observed. Flax cv. Jitka exhibited good transport of Cd from roots to above-ground parts, while flax cv. Merkur showed high retention of Cd in roots. Further, the contrasting cultivars in total Cd accumulation (high accumulating flax cv. Jitka versus low accumulating linseed cv. Jupiter) were selected for future experiments. The uptake of Cd by flax/ linseed from ha per season was calculated and the strategy for flax/linseed growing on heavy metal polluted soils with subsequent utilization of heavy metal-contaminated biomass is discussed.     

Extraction of flax shive using sodium ethoxide catalyst in anhydrous ethanol

This work investigated the yield and nature of solvent-soluble organic compounds extracted from flax shive using a room temperature reaction (20 °C) with sodium ethoxide catalyst at four different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 M) in anhydrous ethanol. Results were compared with the use of aqueous sodium hydroxide (1.0 M) at two different reaction temperatures (20 °C and 100 °C). Quantitative yield from flax shive varied linearly with sodium ethoxide concentration and averaged 54.5 mg/g on a dry-mass basis (db) at 1.0 M. In contrast, the quantitative yield using 1.0 M sodium hydroxide was much lower, averaging 2.2 mg/g (db). Yield did not differ significantly due to changes of particle size in either case, or due to changes of temperature over the range considered in the case of sodium hydroxide.Analyses using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) confirmed all extracts to contain aromatic compounds, thus likely lignin derived, but found differences in chemical characteristics between the two extraction methods. One key difference was the presence of compounds with methyl ether groups in sodium hydroxide extracts that were absent in the case of sodium ethoxide extracts. Given that flax contains a mixed guaiacyl-syringyl lignin, methyl ether groups would be expected to be present. Control reactions on three model compounds were carried out to confirm that transesterification occurred with sodium ethoxide. These control reactions also demonstrated that methyl ether groups would be expected to remain intact under the extraction conditions reported here. In light of the higher yield of solvent soluble compounds recovered by extraction with basic ethanol, flax shive may represent a source of value-added phenolic constituents. This processing method may also represent a useful pre-treatment prior to the production of biofuels by cellulose degrading organisms.     

Effect of temperature and durations of heating on coir fibers

Biocomposites derived from polymeric resin and lignocellulosic fibers may be processed at temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 230 °C for durations of up to 30 min. These processing parameters normally lead to the degradation of the fiber's mechanical properties such as Young's modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and percentage elongation at break (%EB). In this study, the effect of processing temperature and duration of heating on the mechanical properties of coir fibers were examined by heating the fibers in an oven at 150 °C and 200 °C for 10, 20 and 30 min to simulate processing conditions. Degradation of mechanical properties was evaluated based on the tensile properties. It was observed that the UTS and %EB of heat treated fibers decreased by 1.17-44.00% and 15.28-81.93%, respectively, compared to untreated fibers. However, the stiffness or E of the fibers increased by 6.3-25.0%. Infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to elucidate further the influence of chemical, thermal and microstructural degradation on the resulting tensile properties of the fibers. The main chemical changes observed at 2922, 2851, 1733, 1651, 1460, 1421 and1370 cm⁻¹ absorption bands were attributed to oxidation, dehydration and depolymerization as well as volatization of the fiber components. These phenomena were also attributed to in the TGA, and in addition the TGA showed increased thermal stability of the heat treated coir fibers with reference to the untreated counterparts which was most probably due to increased recrystallization and cross linking. The microstructural features including microcracks, micropores, collapsed microfibrils and sort of cooled molten liquid observed on the surface of heat treated coir fibers from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) could not directly be linked to the effect of temperature and durations of heating although such features may have largely account for the lower tensile properties of heat treated coir fibers with reference to untreated ones.     

Rooting systems of oilseed and pulse crops I: Temporal growth patterns across the plant developmental periods

Oilseed and pulse crops have been increasingly used to diversify cereal-based cropping systems in semiarid environments, but little is known about the root characteristics of these broadleaf crops. This study was to characterize the temporal growth patterns of the roots of selected oilseed and pulse crops, and determine the response of root growth patterns to water availability in semiarid environments. Canola (Brassica napus L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris), and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were tested under high- (rainfall + irrigation) and low- (rainfall only) water availability conditions in southwest Saskatchewan, in 2006 and 2007. Crops were hand-planted in lysimeters of 15 cm in diameter and 100 cm in length that were installed in the field prior to seeding. Roots were sampled at the crop stages of seedling, early-flower, late-flower, late-pod, and physiological maturity. On average, root length density, surface area, diameter, and the number of tips at the seedling stage were, respectively, 41, 25, 14, and 110% greater in the drier 2007 than the corresponding values in 2006. Root growth in all crops progressed rapidly from seedling, reached a maximum at late-flower or late-pod stages, and then declined to maturity; this pattern was consistent under both high- and low-water conditions. At the late-flower stage, root growth was most sensitive to water availability, and the magnitude of the response differed between crop species. Increased water availability increased canola root length density by 70%, root surface area by 67%, and root tips by 79% compared with canola grown under low-water conditions. Water availability had a marginal influence on the root growth of flax and mustard, and had no effect on pulse crops. Wheat and two Brassica oilseeds had greater root length density, surface area and root tips throughout the entire growth period than flax and three pulses, while pulse crops had thicker roots with larger diameters than the other species. Sampling roots at the late-flower stage will allow researchers to capture best information on root morphology in oilseed and pulse crops. The different root morphological characteristics of oilseeds, pulses, and wheat may serve as a science basis upon which diversified cropping systems are developed for semiarid environments.     

Kinetic modeling of enzymatic saccharification using wheat straw pretreated under autohydrolysis and organosolv process

The enzymatic saccharification kinetics of untreated wheat straw, pretreated solids obtained by a sequence of autohydrolysis (solubilization of hemicellulose) and organosolv (solubilization of lignin) were studied together with two pure cellulose model substrates, filter paper and Avicel. Two kinetic models for glucose production were compared and its kinetic constants calculated. According to the obtained results, enzymatic saccharification of the autohydrolysis pretreated solids (APS) proved to be more effective than when the organosolv pretreated solids (OPS) were used. The maximum extent of the enzymatic conversion of cellulose to glucose was 90.88% and 64.04%, for APS and OPS respectively, at 96 h. This result was probably due to an increase in accessible area for APS and a possible inhibition by phenolic acids deposited on the surface of OPS, acting as a barrier for enzymatic saccharification. Initial saccharification rate for APS and OPS was 0.47 g/(L h) and 0.34 g/(L h), respectively. Models based on first and second order cellulase deactivation kinetics satisfactory predicted the behavior of glucose production, however the second order model had a higher accuracy than the first order one. Visualization of structural modification induced by enzymatic saccharification at 12 h for the pretreated solids was done using scanning electron microscopy.     

Mechanical properties of MA compatibilised NR/CS blends

This article describes the effect of compatibilising agent on natural rubber (NR)/chitosan (CS) blends. Maleic anhydride (MA) was used as the compatibiliser. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus at various elongations of compatibilised NR/CS blends were studied by universal testing machine and the surface hardness was studied by Shore A Durometer. The interaction between the two components was analyzed by calculating the fraction of bound rubber in the blend from the relative weight loss data in benzene as the solvent. The incorporation of MA into NR/CS blends improved tensile strength up to 15 % of chitosan in the blend and above which it decreased. The elongations at break of the MA treated blends decreased and a drastic enhancement of surface hardness was observed by the addition of MA in the blend. The interfacial reactivity (adhesion) of NR/CS blends was studied as a function of the incorporation of compatibiliser by the estimation of relative weight loss. The data revealed an increase in the interfacial adhesion between NR and CS, resulting in an improvement of the gel fraction (%) in the blend. The effect of thermal ageing on the mechanical properties of the compatibilised blends was also studied. The morphology of the compatibilised blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy and it shows a continuous morphology.     

Sequential extractions and structural characterization of lignin with ethanol and alkali from bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis)

A sequential process with the combination of ethanol and alkali aqueous solutions was utilized to extract lignin from bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis), a potential lignocellulosic material. In this case, the successive treatments of dewaxed bamboo with 70% ethanol at 80 °C, 0.2 and 0.5 M NaOH, 70% ethanol containing 0.6 M NaOH, and 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 M NaOH at 50 °C, resulted in a total yield of acid-insoluble lignin fractions of 10.06%, corresponding to release of 62.25% original lignin from the cell walls. The lignin fractions obtained were then characterized by GPC, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy, and sugar analysis. As compared to the alkali lignin fractions, the ethanol-soluble lignin fraction had a relatively higher molecular weight (2670 g/mol) and the content of carbohydrates primarily consisted of glucose 2.01% and xylose 1.90%. This suggested that the carbohydrate chains linked to lignin may increase the hydrodynamic volume of lignin and therefore increase the apparent molecular weight of the ethanol-soluble lignin. HSQC spectra analysis revealed that the alkali lignin fractions consisted mainly of β-O-4′ linkages combined with small amounts of β-β′, β-5′, β-1′ linkages, and p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohol end groups. Furthermore, minor amounts of esterified p-coumaric and ferulic acids were also detected in the lignins isolated.     

Optimization of extraction conditions of antioxidants from sunflower shells (Helianthus annuus L.) before and after enzymatic treatment

The effects of three independent variables: solvent polarity, temperature and extraction time on the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and phenolic acid composition in extracts obtained from sunflower shells before and after enzymatic treatment were studied. Response surface methodology based on three-level, three-variable Box-Behnken design was used for optimization of extraction parameters and evaluation of their effect on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in shell extracts.The average antioxidant capacities of extracts from sunflower shells without enzymatic treatment (368.1-1574.4 μmol TE/100 g) were higher than those for cellulolytic and pectolytic enzymes-treated shells (222.7-1419.0 and 270.7-1570.7 μmol TE/100 g, respectively). The content of total phenolic compounds ranged between 58.2-341.2 mg CGA/100 g, 26.7-277.3 mg CGA/100 g and 51.4-301.5 mg CGA/100 g for extracts obtained from shells without enzyme and treated with cellulolytic and pectolytic enzymes, respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) in the studied shell extracts correlated significantly (p < 0.0001) positively with their antioxidant capacity determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method (r = 0.9275). Results of FRAP, TPC and phenolic acid composition in the studied shell extracts depend on the extraction conditions (solvent polarity, temperature, time), but they are independent on the addition of enzyme solutions. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in the resulting extracts increased with a line in extraction temperature and solvent polarity.     

Melt-processed blends of zein with polyvinylpyrrolidone

Melt-processed blends of zein and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) of varying molecular weights (55K, 360K and 1.3M) were compared based on mechanical and thermal properties. Generally, all samples stored at 50% RH exhibited a slight improvement in tensile strength, with the PVP360K samples showing the greatest improvement. At the higher levels of PVP, samples stored at 70% RH showed a decrease in tensile strength. Elongation was also more significantly impacted at higher humidity, with the higher levels of PVP causing greater elongation increases. Differential scanning calorimetry data for the blends showed single T_g values intermediate between the zein and PVP controls. Kinetic thermogravimetric data suggested a multi-step degradation interaction for the zein/PVP blends. Scanning electron microscope imaging of compression molded samples showed homogeneous surface contours for even the 20% PVP1.3M blend. Melt-processed blends of zein with polyvinylpyrrolidone of various molecular weights appear to be compatible. This work represents the first melt-processed blend of zein with PVP to generate a compatible blend.     

Processing of Lespedeza stalks by pretreatment with low severity steam and post-treatment with alkaline peroxide

The steam pre-treatment with low severity preserves valuable biomass components, and further delignification with alkaline peroxide could improve hydrolysis. A combination of low severity steam pretreatment and alkaline peroxide post-treatment of Lespedeza stalks was investigated. The post-treatment of steam-pretreated Lespedeza stalks with alkaline peroxide significantly increased the cellulose content and changed the structure of the cellulose-rich fractions. A glucose yield of 503.5 mg g⁻¹ raw material from enzyme hydrolysis was obtained when the steam-pretreated material (184 °C for 4 min) was post-treated with 2% hydrogen peroxide at 60 °C for 24 h with a substrate concentration of 3.3%. Its hydrolysis yield is 88.8%, which is higher than that of samples processed by steam pretreatment alone (63.7%). The samples obtained by post-treatment with alkaline peroxide were found to have a smoother surface and looser structure in scanning electron microscopy images. The isolated lignin preparations had a yield range from 10.9 to 14.7 (% dry matter). The lignin was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. Alkaline peroxide treatment increased the thermal stability of lignin, and decreased the amounts of all functional groups. Depolymerization and repolymerization occurred during the alkaline peroxide treatment.     

Properties of thermoplastic starch from cassava bagasse and cassava starch and their blends with poly (lactic acid)

Cassava bagasse is an inexpensive and broadly available waste byproduct from cassava starch production. It contains roughly 50% cassava starch along with mostly fiber and could be a valuable feedstock for various bioproducts. Cassava bagasse and cassava starch were used in this study to make fiber-reinforced thermoplastic starch (TPS_B and TPS_I, respectively). In addition, blends of poly (lactic acid) and TPS_I (20%) and TPS_B (5, 10, 15, 20%) were prepared as a means of producing low cost composite materials with good performance. The TPS and PLA blends were prepared by extrusion and their morphological, mechanical, spectral, and thermal properties were evaluated. The results showed the feasibility of obtaining thermoplastic starches from cassava bagasse. The presence of fiber in the bagasse acted as reinforcement in the TPS matrix and increased the maximum tensile strength (0.60 MPa) and the tensile modulus (41.6 MPa) compared to cassava starch TPS (0.40 and 2.04 MPa, respectively). As expected, blending TPS with PLA reduced the tensile strength (55.4 MPa) and modulus (2.4 GPa) of neat PLA. At higher TPS_B content (20%) the maximum strength (19.9 MPa) and tensile modulus (1.7 GPa) were reduced about 64% and 32%, respectively, compared to the PLA matrix. In comparison, the tensile strength (16.7) and modulus (1.2 GPa) of PLA blends made with TPS_I were reduced 70% and 51% respectively. The fiber from the cassava bagasse was considered a filler since no increase in tensile strength of PLA/TPS blends was observed. The TPS_I (33.1%) had higher elongation to break compared to both TPS_B (4.9%) and PLA (2.6%). The elongation to break increased from 2.6% to 14.5% by blending TPS_I with PLA. In contrast, elongation to break decreased slightly by blending TPS_B with PLA. Thermal analysis indicated there was some low level of interaction between PLA and TPS. In PLA/TPS_B blends, the TPS_B increased the crystallinity of the PLA component compared to neat PLA. The fiber component of TPS_B appeared to have a nucleating effect favoring PLA crystallization.     

Thermogravimetric analysis and the optimisation of bio-oil yield from fixed-bed pyrolysis of rice husk using response surface methodology (RSM)

The effects of pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, particle size, holding time, and gas flow rate were investigated to optimize bio-oil yield from rice husk pyrolysis. Thermogravimetric analysis showed thermal degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, indicating faster decomposition of cellulose compared to lignin. The optimisation process was analysed by employing central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) using Design Expert Version 7.5.1 (StatEase, USA). A two-level fractional factorial was initially carried out and followed by RSM. The statistical analysis showed that pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, particle size and holding time significantly affected the bio-oil yield. By utilising response surface method, these four factors were investigated, analysed and optimal conditions were obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 473.37 °C, heating rate of 100 °C/min, particle size of 0.6 mm and holding time of 1 min. Confirmation runs gave 48.30% and 47.80% of bio-oil yield compared to 48.10% of predicted value. Furthermore, the pyrolytic bio-oils obtained from fixed-bed pyrolysis were examined using gas chromatographic/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) methods, elemental analyzer, pH probe and bomb calorimeter.     

Ethanol production from alkali- and ozone-treated cotton stalks using thermotolerant Pichia kudriavzevii HOP-1

In the present study, milled cotton stalks were subjected to alkali pretreatment with NaOH at 1-4% (w/v) concentrations at 121 °C for time ranging from 30 to 90 min. Ozone pretreatment was performed by passing 45 mg/L of ozone gas over 2 mm cotton stalks for 150 min at a flow rate of 0.37 L/min. The residual biomass from 4% alkali pretreatment for 60 min showed 46.6% lignin degradation accompanied by 83.2% increase in glucan content, compared with the untreated biomass. Hydrolysis of 4% alkali-treated and ozone-treated cotton stalks was conducted using enzyme combination of 20 filter paper cellulase units/gram dried substrate (FPU/g-ds), 45 IU/g-ds β-glucosidase and 15 IU/g-ds pectinase. Enzymatic hydrolysis of alkali-treated and ozone-treated biomass after 48 h resulted in 42.29 g/L glucose, 6.82 g/L xylose and 24.13 g/L glucose, 8.3 g/L xylose, respectively. About 99% of glucose was consumed in 24 h by Pichia kudriavzevii HOP-1 cells resulting in 19.82 g/L of ethanol from alkali-treated cotton stalks and 10.96 g/L of ethanol from ozone-treated cotton stalks. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of the alkali-treated cotton stalks after 12-h pre-hydrolysis resulted in ethanol concentration, ethanol yield on dry biomass basis and ethanol productivity of 19.48 g/L, 0.21 g/g and 0.41 g/L/h, respectively which holds promise for further scale-up studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study employing SSF for ethanol production from cotton stalks.     

Mild peroxyformic acid fractionation of Miscanthus × giganteus bark. Behaviour and structural characterization of lignin

Miscanthus × giganteus bark was subjected to mild fractionation with peroxyformic acid by a two stage process. A factorial experimental design was used to study and quantify the effect of the variables (formic acid concentration (80-90%), hydrogen peroxide concentration (0.2-0.4%), temperature of the first stage (60-80 °C), and treatment time of the second stage (60-120 min)) on the main parameters of fractionation: pulp yield, remaining lignin and total polysaccharides in pulp. The dependence of lignin precipitation rate on hydrogen peroxide concentration in liquor was also studied. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations inferior to 0.5% seems to be suitable to recover high percentages of lignin. The isolated lignin was analysed by 2D-HSQC, ¹³C- and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography and chemical analysis. The most important chemical modifications taken place in the lignin during the fractionation were identified: β-O-4′ cleavage and hydrolysis of LC-bond structures. The C9-formula was also determined: C₉H_6.81O_2.90(OCH₃)_0.68(COOH)_0.07(OH^Ph)_0.38(OH^Al)_0.33.     

Temperature-induced structural and chemical changes in cork from Quercus cerris

The effects of temperature on anatomical and chemical characteristics of Quercus cerris cork were examined. Cork samples were subjected to isothermal air heating between 150 °C and 400 °C and analyzed for mass loss, cellular structure and chemical composition.The thermal decomposition of Q. cerris cork is similar to that of Q. suber cork. Cork is thermally stable below 200 °C and after that degradation depended on temperature and heating time with increasing mass loss, i.e. 3% at 200 °C 10 min and 46% at 350 °C 60 min. With temperature and starting at 200 °C, cells expanded, cell wall thickness was reduced and corrugations were lost.Extractives degraded at lower temperatures, although aliphatic extractives were found to be more stable. Suberin from Q. cerris was more heat resistant than Q. suber suberin, while lignin showed similar resistance.These results provide a basis for studies on the production of Q. cerris bark expanded cork agglomerates for insulation purposes.     

Cadmium-induced production of phytochelatins and speciation of intracellular cadmium in organs of Linum usitatissimum seedlings

The capacity of most flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties and cultivars to accumulate cadmium (Cd), underlined by their Cd-tolerant phenotype, brought an interest in their use in phytoextraction of soil Cd to aboveground biomass. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the mechanism of intracellular detoxification of Cd, by exploring the response of flax seedlings, cultivar AGT 952, to 12 days growth at 50-500 μM Cd. The majority of accumulated Cd (67-74%) was retained in roots, which showed reduced elongation (by 50% at 100 μM Cd) and 3.5 (at 50 μM Cd) to 9.6 (at 500 μM Cd) times higher concentration of Cd than in shoots. Labeling of roots with Leadmium fluorescent marker visualized intracellular localization of Cd. High-performance liquid chromatography of extracts from Cd-treated seedlings revealed induced synthesis of phytochelatins, small intracellular peptides binding Cd through cysteine of their repeating (γ-Glu-Cys)_n motives (PCn). Regardless the treatment, PC3 was dominant in all organs and PC2 was restricted to cotyledons. Larger PC4 and PC5 accumulated only in roots grown at 500 μM Cd. Size exclusion chromatography of the organ extracts from seedlings exposed to 100 μM revealed the presence of 2-kDa complexes equated to low-molecular weight (LMW) Cd-PC complexes. In roots, the majority of Cd was stored in ≥9-kDa complex corresponding in apparent molecular mass to stable high-molecular weight (HMW) CdS-PC complexes of yeasts and plants. Data demonstrate that, like in most other plants, the response of flax to Cd involved phytochelatins and suggested that the deposition of Cd in HMW complex should be considered the intrinsic feature reducing translocation of Cd to shoots.     

Effects and Interactions of Medium Components on Laccase from a Marine-Derived Fungus Using Response Surface Methodology

The effects of various synthetic medium components and their interactions with each other ultimately impact laccase production in fungi. This was studied using a laccase-hyper-producing marine-derived basidiomycete, Cerrena unicolor MTCC 5159. Inducible laccases were produced in the idiophase only after addition of an inducer such as CuSO₄. Concentration of carbon and nitrogen acted antagonistically with respect to laccase production. A combination of low nitrogen and high carbon concentration favored both biomass and laccase production. The most favorable combination resulted in 917 U L⁻¹ of laccase. After sufficient growth had occurred, addition of a surfactant such as Tween 80 positively impacted biomass and increased the laccase activity to around 1,300 U L⁻¹. Increasing the surface to volume ratio of the culture vessel further increased its activity to almost 2,000 U L⁻¹.