Eriobotrya Japonica Lindl. Kernels: Assessment of Polysaccharides and Kinetics of Thermal Degradation under Inert Atmosphere Using Coats–Redfern Method

Abstract

This work aims to extrapolate the energy conversion of Raw Loquat Kernels (RLK) by pyrolysis under the inert atmosphere. For this purpose, the main physicochemical composition of the RLK was first investigated. The proximate analysis shows that RLK has a relatively low moisture content, an absence of heavy metals, and the presence of an important amount of organic matter. In order to evaluate polysaccharides composition, RLK was dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [Emim]Br ionic liquid; the resulting solutions are then immuno-labeled with monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) against plant cell wall polysaccharides epitopes. Polysaccharides have been then analyzed using the ELISA technique with a set of 14 mAbs against hemicellulose and pectin. The LM19 immuno-labeling was more intense after 3 days of treatment at 80 °C, followed by 2 hours at 100 °C, indicating the important amount of un-esterified Homogalacturonans among RLK polysaccharides. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the presence of a small amount of crystalline cellulose. Surface functional groups and morphology of RLK were also investigated. RLK was then subjected to thermal analyses TG/DTG, DTA, and DSC under an inert atmosphere. The kinetic parameters were determined by the Coats-Redfern method. The highest activation energies were found in the first thermal degradation region where the main pyrolysis reaction took place, and the largest weight loss occurred, with energy values running from 24.34 to 117.06 KJ/mol.