Sodium carboxylmethylate cellulose from date palm rachis as a sizing agent for cotton yarn

The chemical composition of date palm rachis wastes, which are widely available cellulosic biomass-based agricultural crops in Tunisia, were characterized to determine if they had the potential for use as a starting raw material to prepare cellulose derivatives. To accomplish this, several sodium cellulose carboxylmethylates (NaCMCs) were prepared and tested as sizing agents for coating yarn. The synthesis of NaCMC was conducted in n-butanol containing NaOH (40 %) as a solvent mixture and monochloroacetic acid (MAC) as the etherifying reagent. The NaCMC samples were characterized based on their degrees of substitution (DS) and polymerization (DP). The prepared NaCMC samples were then tested as sizing agents for cotton yarn in textile applications. Specifically, different NaCMC samples were used to prepare a coating bath, which was then applied to size a cotton yarn textile. The quality of the coated yarns was subsequently evaluated by determining three parameters, yarn hairiness, the load at break, and the elongation at break. The sizing performances of the NaCMCs prepared from date palm rachis wastes were then compared with those of commercial NaCMC. The values of hairiness, breaking load, and breaking elongation of some of the NaCMC-treated yarns were as high as those prepared using commercial additives as sizing agents. These findings indicate that the cellulose derivatives prepared in this study are good candidates for alternatives to currently available additives.     

Development of thermal insulating and sound absorbing agro-sourced materials from auto linked flax-tows

The aim of this paper is to develop a green composite using only flax fiber material for thermal insulations and sound absorbing using flax-tows and thus enhance the less noble part of the flax plant. The Lin-K process is a simple patented manufacturing process used to develop these self-linked materials. Thermal conductivity, absorbing acoustic coefficient, hydric properties and the effect of several parameters on these performances are reviewed. The use of fine flax-tows leads to extract more organic substances of the inner fibers during the microwave treatment which improves the mechanical performances and reduces the thermal conductivities of these materials. The environment has very significant effects on thermal stability and durability of these materials.     

Rheology of new green lubricating grease formulations containing cellulose pulp and its methylated derivative as thickener agents

This work is focused on the development of gel-like formulations, potentially applicable as biodegradable lubricating greases obtained by dispersing eucalyptus Kraft cellulose pulp, or its methylated derivative, in an ethyl cellulose/castor oil medium. The effects that concentration and weight ratio of the different cellulosic derivatives exert on the rheological properties, thermal resistance and mechanical stability of these oleogels were studied. The evolution of linear viscoelasticity functions with frequency was very similar to that found for traditional lubricating greases. In general, linear viscoelastic functions increase with Kraft cellulose pulp or methylcellulose concentrations and ethyl cellulose/Kraft cellulose pulp weight ratio. However, the relative elasticity of gel-like dispersions based on ethyl cellulose/Kraft cellulose pulp is not affected by the composition of these thickener blends, which allows the application of an empirical superposition method to obtain generalized master curves for describing the viscoelastic response of these formulations. On the contrary, the relative elasticity of methylcellulose-based gel-like dispersions depends on the composition of methylated cellulose pulp/ethyl cellulose blends. An Arrhenius-type equation can be used to quantify the linear viscoelastic functions thermal dependence of these gel-like dispersions. Moreover, formulations prepared using Kraft cellulose pulp/ethyl cellulose blends show appropriate mechanical stabilities to be used as bio-lubricating greases.     

Coating Cellulosic Materials with Graphene for Selective Absorption of Oils and Organic Solvents from Water

Development of efficient and eco-friendly sorbents used for selective oil removal after oil spill disasters is one of the main topics in environmental science. By using various cellulosic materials coated with graphene flakes, using simple, one-step dip-coating method, it was possible to manufacture environmentally friendly, selective oil sorbents. The cellulosic materials of different yarn size and distribution such as cotton roving, gauze, fabric, and cellulosic wipe and Whatman filter paper were chosen. The scanning electron microscopy showed that simple dip-coating of any cellulosic materials into graphene dispersion creates a uniformly distributed nanomaterial coating. The wetting tests confirmed that the coating endowed cellulosic materials with hydrophobic properties, regardless of their initial yarn distribution and purity. Moreover, the water repellent samples were simultaneously highly sorptive towards oils and organic solvents. Sorption tests performed for a representative group of organic solvents and oils have shown that depending on cellulosic material the oil sorption capacity varied from 4 g/g to 33 g/g for cotton fabric and roving, respectively. Moreover, the absorption selectivity of chloroform versus water exceeded 90 % for each sample and reached over 99 % for the graphene coated cotton roving and gauze. Finally, the recyclability tests have shown that graphene coated materials are less fragile for reuse than naturally hydrophobic sorbents.     

Erratum to: Antioxidant Properties of Extracts Obtained from Raw, Dry-roasted, and Oil-roasted US Peanuts of Commercial Importance

Raw, skinless peanut kernels from US commercial production lines were dry- and oil-roasted according to standard industrial practices. Eighty percent (v/v) methanolic extracts from the peanut cultivars were prepared and characterized by RP-HPLC: five predominant compounds were found comprising free p-coumaric acid and potential p-coumaric acid derivatives, as elucidated by DAD-UV spectra with comparisons to those of commercial standards. A Spanish high-oleic peanut possessed the greatest naturally-occurring level of p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, followed by a high-oleic Runner, a normal Runner, and a Virginia peanut. Upon thermal processing, p-coumaric acid was liberated at the expense of its derivatives according to the relationship: oil roasting > dry roasting > raw. A high-oleic Runner exhibited the greatest increase (∼785%) in free p-coumaric acid levels after oil roasting. For many of the samples from the 2007 crop, processing increased the TPC and antioxidant capacities in the order of raw < dry roast < oil roast, but results were cultivar dependent. Oil-roasted peanuts were more effective at scavenging O₂ ^●- than their dry-roasted counterparts, as determined by a photochemiluminescence assay. Overall findings indicate that although thermal processing altered the composition of peanut kernel antioxidants, TPC values and radical-scavenging activities are preserved. Depending on peanut type, cultivar, and harvest date, enhanced antioxidant capacities can result.     

Formulation and characterization of dry mixes based on dehydrated fresh high-lysine corn

Fresh sweet corn pulp from high-lysine corn was dehydrated in a drum-dryer and utilized in the formulation of creamy instant soups. Studied formulas contained 27.5 to 67% dehydrated high-lysine corn pulp. The sensory profiles of the formulas improved with increasing proportion of dehydrated fresh corn pulp. Formula with 27.5% fresh corn pulp was rated lowest by the tasters on the basis of poor appearance, low characteristic fresh corn flavor and low overall impression. Formulas with 60 and 67% corn pulp rated highest in sensory quality and were nutritionally adequate. The PER for these formulas did not differ from casein control diet but nitrogen absorption and nitrogen retention was inferior for the formulas protein as compared to casein.     

茶叶多糖食品功能性研究

分离制备出了含量分别为27.4%和57.8%的茶多糖：TPSⅠ和TPSⅡ,并对它们的溶解性、起泡性、泡沫的持久性、吸油性、吸湿性能、保湿性能和表观粘度进行了研究。结果表明它们能溶于水,不能溶于高浓度的有机溶剂,随着纯度的提高,溶解性能降低;它们还具有吸油性、起泡性和泡持性,在湿润和干燥的环境中具有吸湿和保湿性能,纯度的提高增强了茶多糖的表观粘度,TPSⅡ的粘度是TPSⅠ的4倍。     

Water retention and flow behaviours of protein isolates from peas

Protein isolates from pea flour were prepared by extraction of protein at pH 7.0 or 9.0 which was followed by precipitation as isoelectric isolates or as proteinates. After spray-drying, chemical composition, water retention capacities, thickening properties, and flow behaviours were determined and compared to those of a soybean protein isolate (Supro 620).     

Chemical and Nutrient Analysis of Baobab (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Adansonia digitata</Emphasis>) Fruit and Seed Protein Solubility

The baobab seed and pulp were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, and amino acid composition. The seed oil and protein were evaluated for their fatty acid profile and protein solubility. The seed was found to be a good source of energy, protein, and fat. Both the kernel and the pulp contain substantial quantities of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Amino acid analyses revealed high glutamic and aspartic acid contents and the sulfur-containing amino acids as being the most limited amino acid. The fatty acid profile showed that oleic and linoleic were the major unsaturated fatty acids, whereas palmitic was the major saturated acid. Of the several solvents tested to solubilize the seed protein, 0.1 M NaOH was found to be the most effective. The protein was more soluble at alkaline than acidic pH, with the lowest solubility at pH 4.0.     

Effects on milk production of feeding silage and three levels of sugar-beet pulp either as a mixed ration or as an ensiled blend

Twenty-one British Friesian dairy cows, in mid-lactation, were used in a seven-treatment, partially balanced change-over design experiment consisting of three periods each of 4 weeks' duration. Treatments involved offering grass silage either without a sugar-beet pulp (beet pulp) supplement (US) or supplemented with beet pulp at silage/beet pulp dry matter ratios of 80:20 (C40), 65:35 (C80) and 55:45 (C120), and offered in the form of a mixed ration. A further three treatments consisted of offering ensiled blends of silage and beet pulp, produced by mixing 40 (E40), 80 (E80) and 120 (E120)kg beet pulp t^?1 of grass at ensiling. Silage was offered ad libitum on all treatments, with cows receiving 1kg d^?1 of a concentrate supplement containing 470 g crude protein kg^?1 fresh weight. Dry matter intakes increased with increasing level of beet pulp inclusion in the diet, irrespective of method of beet pulp inclusion in the diet. Similarly, milk fat + protein yields increased with increasing level of beet pulp offered. However, when comparisons were made between the two methods of beet pulp inclusion in the diet with beet pulp requirements equivalent to those obtained in treatments C40, C80 and C120, namely 2·28, 4·53 and 6·21 kg d^?1, offering beet pulp as a supplement to an untreated silage resulted in fat + protein yields of 32 (s.e.d. 9·8), 53 (s.e.d. 19·5) and 81 (s.e.d. 21·3)gd^?1 greater than would have been achieved had equivalent quantities of beet pulp been included at ensiling as part of an ensiled blend. This effect can be attributed to the higher metabolizable energy intakes with the control silage supplemented with beet pulp at feeding, a consequence of the loss of nutrients from the beet pulp fraction during ensiling, in the case of treatments E40, E80 and E120. However, when account is taken of differences in the efficiency of recovery of edible silage dry matter between ensilage systems and differences in forage dry-matter intake between treatments, overall efficiency of feed use was not significantly different between the two systems of beet pulp inclusion in the diet.     

Effect of blanching and ripening on functional properties of plantain (Musa aab) flour

Flours were prepared from raw and blanched samples of and ripe mature plantain Musa aab and examined for theirproximate composition, physical characteristics and functionalproperties. The plantain flours contained 3.5 g crude protein,2.5–3.5 g crude fat, 5.7–7.1 g moisture, 1.33–2.0 g crudefiber, 1.66–2.0 g ash, and 82.25–86.07 g carbohydrate per 100 gsample. The flours had bulk densities between 0.42–0.72 g/ml,emulsion capacities of 4.7–14.7%, water absorption capacitiesof 250–338%, oil absorption capacities of 214–371%,foaming capacities of 1.90–5.79%, least gelation concentrationsof 6–8%, and viscosities of 23.7–46.7 CP at 2% slurry concentration. Foaming capacity increased with increasing flourconcentration. Blanching considerably reduced the emulsion capacity and viscosity, while bulk density, water and oilabsorption capacities were increased by blanching. Ripening wasfound to have a negative effect on all the functional propertiesexamined except the bulk density, and gelation property. Unripe plantain could be used as an emulsifier and thickener in a foodsystem.     

Biological evaluation of protein quality of sorghum as affected by insect infestation

Protein quality of sorghum grains having 25, 50 and 75% infestation caused by mixed population ofTrogoderma granarium Everts andRhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of diet containing insect infested sorghum grains (50 and 75%) resulted in marked decrease in food intake, protein intake, gain in body weight, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization, dry matter digestibility, net protein retention and protein retention efficiency. These parameters showed negative association with insect infestation levels. However, 25% level of grain infestation did not affect these parameters significantly.     

Water repellency and warmth retention finishes for polyester fabrics based on hybrid materials comprising zirconia,silica, and thiazole dyes prepared via sol-gel synthesis

A series of hybrid materials composed of zirconia, silica, and thiazole dyes were synthesized from zirconium npropoxide (ZNP) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) using heteroaryl 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes, and prepared via the sol-gel process. The heterocyclic 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes underwent a hydrolysis-condensation reaction with an appropriate proportion of ZNP under a catalyst, using a constant ratio of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and TEOS. The structures of these hybrid materials composed of zirconia/silica/thiazole dyes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphologies of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images demonstrated the uniform dyeing of the PET fabrics, which confirmed the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color uniformity, and warmth retention of the PET fabrics dyed with the hybrid materials composed of the zirconia/silica/thiazole dyes were evaluated. The evaluation results indicated that these fabrics offered enhanced warmth retention properties and good water repellency.     

Functional processing of PET fabrics using boehmite/silica/thiazole dye hybrid materials

A series of hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes and prepared via the sol-gel process is synthesized from aluminum isopropoxide (AIP) and tetraethoxysilane using heteroaryl 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes. Heterocyclic 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes undergo a hydrolysis-condensation reaction with an appropriate proportion of AIP under a catalyst, at a constant ratio of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The structures of these hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes are characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphology of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics is evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images show uniform dyeing of the PET fabrics that confirms the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color evenness, air permeability, and warmth retention of the PET fabrics dyed with hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes are evaluated. The evaluation results indicate improved warmth retention property and good water repellency.     

Effect of a Novel Oil Extraction Method on Avocado (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Persea americana</Emphasis> Mill) Pulp Microstructure

Avocado (Persea americana Mill) is an oil-rich fruit, the pulp containing up to 33% of the oil. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, and has nutritional properties similar to olive oil. However, there is no widespread commercial method for oil recovery from avocado pulp. The aim of this study is to contribute to the limited knowledge about the micro- and ultrastructure of avocado. It presents a micro- and ultrastructural study of avocado pulp before and after three different oil recovery methods, in order to relate the quality and yielding of the oil to the cellular changes in the pulp. This study was made using light, scanning electron, and electron transmission microscopy.The microwave–squeezing method yielded 67% of the oil, preserved the shape of the cell by causing only a slight modification, and gave the best quality oil. Hexane extraction yielded 59%, causing the idioblastic oil cells to become irregularly shaped and rough-surfaced. Acetone extraction yielded 12%, and deformed the cellular wall while the oil remained inside, giving a poor quality oil.On the basis of these results, the microwave–squeezing method is suggested as a new option for oil recovery from avocadopulp. This method could be adapted for industrial processing.     

Effect of pre-dehulling treatments on the composition of seeds of the legumeAfzelia africana and its potential use in pastries

Flour was prepared from seeds ofAfzelia africana dehulled by different treatments and used to replace 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% wheat flour in biscuits and doughnuts. The composition and water and oil absorption properties of the flour blends were evaluated. The biscuits and doughnuts made from each flour blend were evaluated organoleptically. The composite flour containing the highest proportion (50%) ofA. africana seed flour contained the highest levels of protein and fat, exhibited the highest water absorption property but the lowest oil absorption capacity. Sensory scores showed high overall acceptability for products with a 10–30% level of substitution.     

干旱胁迫下氮素对不同基因型小麦根系活力和生长的调控

为了探讨不同水氮耦合处理对小麦根系活力和吸收氮素能力的影响,以多穗型小麦品种西农979和大穗型小麦品系2036为材料进行营养液培养试验,设置正常水分供应、轻度和重度水分胁迫及低氮、中氮和高氮处理,研究了不同水氮耦合对小麦根系形态、根系吸收面积、根系活力、植株氮素积累量的影响。结果表明,水分与氮素存在着明显的互作效应,重度水分胁迫和低氮处理都会降低小麦的生物量、根系总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和活力、氮含量和植株的氮素积累量,低氮处理增加了根长和根冠比。高氮处理的西农979根系总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和活力较低,中氮处理显著提高,且分别比2036高11%、14%、27%。西农979在中氮和高氮处理之间的氮素积累量无显著性差异。中氮处理下西农979的植株氮素积累量比2036高13%~62%。相关分析表明,小麦的活跃吸收面积、根系活力与植株氮素积累量呈极显著正相关(P0.01),和根冠比呈极显著负相关(P0.01)。在轻度水分胁迫下,增加氮素供给能有效提高西农979的根系吸收面积和根系活力;过高的氮素不利于2036根系的生长,表明不同基因型小麦的根系活力和生长对不同水氮耦合的响应不同。通过适宜的水氮耦合调控,有利于创造良好的小麦根系形态,提高根系活力及对水分和养分的吸收能力。     

The effect of dry feed additives on the nutritive value of silage

Silages were prepared in late September from a mixed crop of perennial ryegrass and white clover with low dry matter and high nitrogen content. Six different treatments were used during ensiling; addition of either molassed sugar beet pulp or rolled barley, at 50 kg and 25 kg (t fresh grass)^?1, formic acid at 51 t^?1 and no additive (control). All silages were well fermented with low levels of ammonia and pH. The addition of rolled barley or sugar beet pulp increased the dry matter content of the silages incrementally and appeared to assist the retention of nitrogen in the silage. Dry matter intakes of silages with 50 kg of barley or sugar beet pulp tonne^?1 were similar to the control silage when fed to wether sheep but at 25 kg t^?1, dry matter intake increased by 0·15 with barley and 0·04 with sugar beet pulp compared to the control. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly higher than the control for silages treated with formic acid or high levels of barley and sugar beet pulp whereas neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility did not appear to be significantly affected. All treated silages had a significantly higher metabolizable energy (ME) content than the control, and additions of barley or sugar beet increased the ME content. The ME intakes of all treated silages were also significantly greater than those of the control, and the formic acid-treated and low barley silages were the highest. This appeared to be associated with significantly higher energy digestibility and DM intake. Addition of rolled barley during ensilage resulted in greater nitrogen intake, availability and retention compared to additions of sugar beet pulp. The higher retention with barley silages was associated with a significantly lower proportional loss of absorbed nitrogen in urine, which indicated a more efficient utilization of nitrogen. These differences require further study to determine the mechanisms involved in the interactions between the energy source and herbage protein, both during fermentation and in the rumen.     

Protein and energy utilization of brown,undermilled and milled rices by preschool children

The protein and energy utilization of brown, undermilled and milled rices (variety IR32) were studied in 5–6 preschool children through diets in which 2/3 of N was from rice and 1/3 from casein or milk powder at 200 or 250 mg N/kg body weight. Brown rice was not significantly inferior to milled rice in terms of nitrogen absorption and retention by the children. Its energy and fat contents were, however, less utilized than those of milled rice. Children on the control casein or milk diets showed better apparent nitrogen absorption than those on the rice-based diets but nitrogen retention of all the diets was similar in all three experiments.     

An analysis of structure and properties of a natural cellulosic fiber (Leafiran)

The ever-increasing importance of vegetable natural fibers on the global scale, the comparatively low production of this group of fibers, and the growing fiber imports by the Iranian textile industry have required numerous studies in recent years to be carried out on long natural cellulosic fibers extracted from Typha australis plant leaf. In this study, such tensile properties of the fiber under study as tenacity, modulus, elongation and work of rupture, X-ray and FTIR are investigated by alkali retting at 100 °C for 2 and 4 h. It is found that Leafiran is lignocellulosic with a tenacity approximately 25–40 cN. Tex-1, a linear density of about 4 tex, and a crystallinity of about 60 %, which are all considered to be suitable properties compared to those of other natural cellulosic fibers.