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Microscopy techniques and image analysis for evaluation of some chemical and physical properties and morphological features for seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) |
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| Authors: | MJ Perea-FloresJJ Chanona-Pérez V Garibay-FeblesG Calderón-Dominguez E Terrés-RojasJA Mendoza-Pérez R Herrera-Bucio |
| Institution: | a Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de Ayala y Carpio s/n, Col Santo Tomas, C.P. 11340, México, D.F., Mexico b Departamento de Ingeniería en Sistemas Ambientales, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Esq. Cda. Miguel Stampa s/n, U.P. Adolfo López Mateos, C.P. 07738, México, D.F., Mexico c Laboratorio de Microscopía Electrónica de Ultra Alta Resolución, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas N.152, Col. San Bartolo Atepehuacan, C.P. 07730, México, D.F., Mexico d Instituto de Investigaciones Quimicobiológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Francisco J. Mújica S/N, 58066, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico |
| Abstract: | Ricinus communis seed is a source of protein and oil with a high potential to use as animal's feedstock and biodiesel production. However, the oil yield and the extraction efficiency depend on the process conditions applied, as well as on the physical, chemical and structural properties of the seed, which have not been fully investigated. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate some chemical and physical properties of R. communis seed as well as to describe and quantify the macro and microstructure of this raw material by microscopy techniques and image analysis. Chemical analysis confirmed the seeds’ high contents of protein (28.48 ± 0.25%) and fat (51 ± 0.31%). On the other hand, the values of geometric mean diameter (8.95 ± 0.05 mm), bulk density (538 ± 11 kg/m3), and true density (1458 ± 27 kg/m3), among others, were higher than the ones reported about similar oils seeds. Microstructural studies showed that the endosperm cells presented an ovoid shape, as obtained from the aspect ratio results (AR = 1.28 ± 0.17), and a cell density of 570 ± 10 cell/mm2, resulting in a porous structure, while the embryo cells had a cell density of 4903 ± 2 cell/mm2, and an AR of 2.41 ± 0.48, related to a more compact structure (rectangular form) in this part of the seed. Regarding to lipids bodies (lb), they were only visible in the endosperm cells, showing a circular shape (AR = 1.16 ± 0.1), and a mean cell density of 9.57 ± 2.40 lipid bodies/μm2, associated to protein as observed by the mineral presence (K, P, Mg and S) as determined by the energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Microscopy techniques and images analysis were efficient tools for the characterization of macro and microstructure of seeds and the data obtained integrate numerical information that could be useful for thermal and mechanical processing of R. communis seed, as well as for the design process equipment. |
| Keywords: | R communis seeds Chemical and physical properties Microstructure Image analysis |
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