Cane Material Research Articles

Plant-based food contact materials: presence of hazardous substances

As a result of the European Single Use Plastic Directive and as part of the transition to a circular economy, plastic food contact materials (FCMs) are being replaced, often by renewable plant-based materials. This research aimed to identify which chemical substances are present in plant-based materials. In 2022 a total of 28 samples of the latter materials from the Dutch market were analysed for 313 active substances from plant protection products, 47 per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) and 27 heavy metals and other elements. Ten samples contained plant protection products that are not authorised in the EU. Most materials contained PFASs at trace or even high levels. Three out of four investigated sugar cane materials contained 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol at levels up to 1.7 mg/kg. High contents of aluminium, manganese, iron, zinc, and barium were found. Other heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury were found in relatively low contents. A broad GC-MS screening was performed, which revealed the presence of plant extractable, plasticisers, antioxidants and hydrocarbons, which were not all authorised for FCMs, but may be present as non-intentionally added substances.

ICAR CIAE-SBI Mechanization Package for Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) through Bud Chip/ Single Bud Propagation

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is a method of sugarcane production which uses less seeds, less water and optimum utilization of fertilizers and land to achieve more yields. Sugarcane bud chip planting/ Sugarcane Single bud planting is the latest technique of sugarcane planting, wherein the bud along with a portion of the nodal region is chipped off and planted in portray with Farm Yard Manure (FYM), soil and sand. This technology is going to be in great demand for successful SSI method of sugarcane cultivation. Package of equipment for Bid chip/ single bud planting of sugarcane was developed by ICAR Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering- Regional Centre, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India in collaboration with ICAR Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The package of equipment consists of equipment for removal or scooping of bud chip from sugarcane, equipment for single bud cutting, equipment for portray filling for sugarcane bud chips, Protocol for Storage and transportation of sugarcane bud chips, mechanization package for effective fungicidal treatment for sugarcane bud chips, mechanized Planting of sugarcane bud chip settlings grown in portrays and Elevated Hybridization Runways (EHR) Facility. The equipment can be adopted in total or selected equipment/protocol can be used based on the mechanization requirement for Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI). On an average, there is a savings of about Rs 15000 per ha if the developed mechanization package is used. Apart from this, there will be savings of about 90 percent of the cane material, which can be used for sugar/jaggery industry. Cost economic analysis revealed significant saving in cost and labour over traditional planting of Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI). The biometric parameters viz., diameter of the cane, cane height, single cane weight, juice content and yield of sugarcane settlings raised using Mechanization package were on par with the manually planted sugarcane settlings. Similarly, the juice quality of sugarcane from planted settling in terms of brix, CCS, sucrose and purity using mechanization package was on par with sugarcane from manual method at the time of harvest.

A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TRANS-RESVERATROL IN GRAPE CANE FROM TEN VARIETIES OF CULTIVATED WINE GRAPES (VITIS SPP.)

Abstract trans-Resveratrol (resveratrol) has been shown to have various health benefits. As a consequence, there is an effort to determine plentiful sources of this molecule. Certain plants, such as grapes, synthesize resveratrol and therefore appear to be an excellent source of this chemical. Annual pruning of grapevine yields significant amounts of cane material that is normally mulched or simply burned. Previous studies have shown this grape cane to contain economically useful resveratrol. Texas is the seventh largest producer of grapes in the USA with over 162 ha currently under cultivation. As a result it is estimated that more than $3.2 million of resveratrol could be extracted from grape canes in Texas each year. In this study resveratrol was isolated by a non-optimized protocol from ten varieties of grape cane grown in central Texas, USA. HPLC analysis showed the cultivars Lenoir and Cabernet Sauvignon yielded the greatest relative amounts of resveratrol (52.3 and 49.6 mg/kgDW). A statistical grouping of the ten varieties suggests that Norton, Blanca du bois, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Lenoir are the best candidates to use for further resveratrol isolation.

The Effect of Cane Material on Length Perception with Long Canes by Visually Impaired, Sighted-Blindfolded, and Sighted Participants

Introduction Individuals with visual impairments may use long canes for estimating distances and detecting gaps, obstacles, and texture patterns. The study presented here investigated whether length perception with canes is influenced by cane material. Methods Visually impaired, sighted-blindfolded, and sighted individuals (n = 30 for each group) participated in this study. Each group was divided into three subgroups (with 5 females and 5 males each) according to cane material. The canes (length = 80 cm, diameter = 1.5 cm) were made of wood, polyethene plastic, or aluminum. The participants were required to judge whether comparison stimuli were shorter than, equal to, or longer than the standard stimulus. Two sessions (for horizontal or vertical lines) were carried out on consecutive days. Results Cane material was not a significant factor influencing accuracy, F(2, 79) = 2.47, p = .091, and difference threshold, F(2, 79) = 2.01, p = .14, in length perception for the three groups of participants, but cane material interacted with orientation of stimuli, F(2, 79) = 3.24, p = .044. There were significant group differences for accuracy, F(2, 79) = 9.6, p <.001, and difference threshold, F(2, 79) = 8.8, p < .001, revealing that participants with visual impairments were better at discriminating length than sighted-blindfolded participants. Discussion Our results provide evidence that length perception with canes is not significantly influenced by cane material. The significant group differences for accuracy and difference threshold indicate that assessing visually impaired participants may be more adequate in studies aimed at investigating aspects related to long canes. Implications for practitioners Orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors can report that there is experimental evidence that cane material is not a significant factor in conveying spatial (length) information, although some evidence suggests that it is a significant factor in conveying tactile information such as the roughness of surface textures.

The influence of the linear growth velocity on the properties of sucrose crystals produced from mixed syrups

AbstractThe systematic study presented addresses the need to understand the co‐crystallization of beet and cane material better. This is important because of the sugar market liberalization in 2017. Here the effect of crystal growth velocity on final sugar quality is investigated. Comparing three different thermal setups, studying different cane and beet mixtures color inclusion into sucrose crystals was analyzed. Within one thermal setup supersaturation was practically constant. Almost exclusively the time necessary to complete the crystallization at 50% solids level changed. Particle size and distribution remained unchanged. Hence, only the growth velocity varied. Growth rate appears to influence color inclusion less than mixing of beet and cane syrups. In cane syrups the relative color inclusion is the highest and most sensitive to growth velocities. Admixing only 33% of beet syrup, already changes this pattern dramatically and the color transfer factor is more than halved. This effect of beet material is most prominent for the mechanism liquid inclusion but also significant for co‐crystallization of colorants. This observation is possibly due to the different nature of the colorants originating from beet and cane. The findings provide a framework to optimize the space‐time yield under consideration of highest sugar quality to manufacturers.Practical applicationsCo‐production of beet and cane is a promising opportunity to increase competitiveness by increasing utilization of equipment in the seasonal sugar industry. To do so reliably, quality parameters have to be met. The main problem to be solved is the control of white sugar color. Since cane and sugar beet deliver different coloring minor components, their interaction and respective inclusion mechanisms need to be understood. The work presented is part of a comprehensive study to elucidate this area of sugar processing that has not been studied yet. Next to the findings on inclusion characteristic and relative contribution of different mechanisms, the conclusions can directly be transferred into practice. The data gathered give a clear guidance to producers that higher inclusion levels of “colored” material, than current conservative practice dictates, can be tolerated due to the mutual suppression mechanism found.

PROBLEM ISSUES OF CREATING A SYSTEM OF FIRE PROTECTION OF A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECT WITH FIRE LOAD FROM CELLULOSE-CONTAINING MATERIALS

Обґрунтовано актуальність проблеми протипожежного захисту об'єктів критичної інфраструктури держави, до яких віднесено об'єкти, системи, мережі або їх елементи, порушення функціонування або руйнування яких призводить до найсерйозніших наслідків для соціальної та економічної сфери держави, негативно вплине на рівень її обороноздатності та національної безпеки. Аналізуючи статистичні дані, визначено особливу вразливість об'єктів критичної інфраструктури з пожежною навантагою із деревини, паперу, тканини, очерету та інших целюлозовмісних матеріалів. Визначено, що на об'єктах, матеріали пожежної навантаги яких здатні займатись навіть від малокалорійних джерел займання, потрібно створювати системи протипожежного захисту, що забезпечують запобігання та ліквідацію пожежі на початковій стадії її розвитку. Системи протипожежного захисту об'єктів критичної інфраструктури мають об'єднувати заходи і засоби як активного, так і пасивного протипожежного захисту. Активний захист визначається застосуванням речовин, техніки, засобів, що придатні в будь-який час бути мобілізованими для гасіння пожежі, а пасивний захист визначається застосуванням заходів вогнезахисту, що виконані заздалегідь і не потребують додаткової мобілізації під час гасіння пожежі. Обґрунтовано перспективність використання водних вогнебіозахисних і водних вогнегасних речовин для створення систем протипожежного захисту об'єктів критичної інфраструктури. Доведено ефективність реалізації запропонованої системи методом Гретенера.

Assessing Potentiality of Bud Chip Technology on Sugarcane Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability in Real Farming Situations Under South East Coastal Plain Zone of Odisha, India

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) is planted by pieces of cane stalk known as cane setts. This method of conventional sugarcane propagation in India has now become expensive as the cost of seed cane material used and quantity of seed material required for such planting accounts for around 20 % of the total cost of cultivation. An alternative way of using only bud chip holds promise to reduce the huge seed cane material in commercial sugarcane planting. In this context, an on-farm trial in a participatory mode at five farmers’ fields was conducted consecutively during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 cropping seasons at Ganjam district in Odisha with a view to assess the advantages of bud chip technology of cane cultivation over conventional sugarcane planting. The results of on-farm field trial indicated that sugarcane cultivation by bud chip technology produced cane yield of 106.8 t/ha which was 13.86 % higher than that of conventionally planted cane crop (92 t/ha). The cost of cultivation was Rs. 108,680/ha ($1618.79/ha) in conventional cane cultivation as against Rs. 91,390/ha ($1361.25/ha) under bud chip technology. Bud chip technology produced 32.63 % higher net returns than that obtained from of conventional sugarcane cultivation of Rs. 107,520/ha ($1601.51/ha). Sugarcane planting by bud chip technology has thus proved to be more productive with reduced cost on planting material since it fetched more net returns per unit area and time, and would be a better option for the farmers of south east coastal plain zone of India.

Color transfer into sucrose crystallized from blended beet and cane syrups

Following the changes in legislation the situation for sugar production in Europe is going to change in the near future. Due to market liberalization the option to co-process raw materials from beet and cane origin becomes more attractive. To this end the crystallization of sugar from blended syrups was studied with particular emphasis on the color inclusion. Evaporation crystallization was performed for various blended syrups and the feed syrups and resulting sugar were characterized in detail. The crystallization is performed at practically constant supersaturation followed by centrifugation and drying. It is found that the colorants from the different origin mutually suppress their inclusion or adhesion. For the industrial raw materials based system it is indicated that color values of less than 30 IU can be achieved with levels of up to 40% of cane material. Based on the experimental finding a simple relation to predict the color of sugars crystallized from blended syrups is formulated. The input data to the model are the color values of both the two pure feed syrups mixed and their respective sugars.

Various extraction methods for obtaining stilbenes from grape cane of Vitis vinifera L.

Grape cane, leaves and grape marc are waste products from viticulture, which can be used to obtain secondary stilbene derivatives with high antioxidant value. The presented work compares several extraction methods: maceration at laboratory temperature, extraction at elevated temperature, fluidized-bed extraction, Soxhlet extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and accelerated solvent extraction. To obtain trans-resveratrol, trans-ε-viniferin and r2-viniferin from grape cane of the V. vinifera variety Cabernet Moravia, various conditions were studied: different solvents, using powdered versus cut cane material, different extraction times, and one-step or multiple extractions. The largest concentrations found were 6030 ± 680 µg/g dry weight (d.w.) for trans-resveratrol, 2260 ± 90 µg/g d.w. for trans-ε-viniferin, and 510 ± 40 µg/g d.w. for r2-viniferin. The highest amounts of stilbenes (8500 ± 1100 µg/g d.w.) were obtained using accelerated solvent extraction in methanol.

Pathogenicity, Fungicide Resistance, and Genetic Variability of Phytophthora rubi Isolates from Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in the Western United States.

Root rot of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), thought to be primarily caused by Phytophthora rubi, is an economically important disease in the western United States. The objectives of this study were to determine which Phytophthora species are involved in root rot, examine the efficacy of different isolation methods (cane, root, and root/soil baiting with young raspberry plants), and determine if pathogenicity, fungicide resistance, and/or genetic variation exists among P. rubi isolates collected from raspberry fields in Washington, Oregon, and California. Of 275 samples, direct isolation from cane material resulted in a greater number of P. rubi isolates (39%), whereas root/soil baiting yielded the least (11%). Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of 210 of the total 597 collected Phytophthora isolates showed that all but one isolate (identified as P. bisheria) were P. rubi. Results of the pathogenicity and fungicide resistance to mefenoxam comparing 14 total isolates from Washington, Oregon, and California showed that isolates were similarly virulent against red raspberry and the EC50 frequency distributions showed no significant difference. These results, combined with amplified fragment length polymorphism results show that P. rubi isolates from Washington, Oregon, and California represent one large mixed population. This work provides novel insights into the isolation and biology of P. rubi in western U.S. raspberry production systems.

FIELD EVALUATION AND CROP CONDITIONS RELATED TO SUGAR CANE MECHANICAL HARVESTING

This research with aims to evaluate the performances of local manufacturing sugar cane harvesting machine in field as responses+ to crop conditions. Field conditions determined to have important influence on the performance of a mechanical harvesting were: The inter row spacing of sugar cane. The sugar cane furrow depth. The transverse ridges intervals. The sugar cane field established before planted and continues in the field for 5 years. The results of the field and crop conditions show that in the field conditions of inter row spacing ranged from 0.85 to 0.9 m. Furrow depths ranged from 12 to 21 cm and transverse ridges intervals ranged from 12 to 20cm. and the crop conditions of the average crop density was 10.85 mealable stalks/m2. For lodging condition the percent of erect crop was 66% in the case of newly planted crop reduced to 35% in case of the final Raton. Percent lodged was 26% in case of the newly planted crop increased to 37% in case of the final Raton. The percent of recumbent crop increased from 8% in the new crop to 28% in the final Raton. The average mealable stalk dimensions were 182.2cm for length 2.46cm diameter and 0.824 kg wight. Cane material mechanical properties, resulted that the average internodes of 500N for chair stress, 4258 N compression strength and 863.2 N for bending moment.

Impact of mosaic infection on growth and yield of sugarcane

Studies were conducted on the impact of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) on cane growth and yield of two popular sugarcane varieties Co 740 and CoC 671 with virus free and virus-infected seed cane materials. The results revealed a significant reduction in sett germination and tiller production in both the varieties. Similarly a significant reduction in number of millable canes due to virus infection was found in both the varieties at the time of harvest. Virus infection significantly reduced the net CO2 assimilation rate during the grand growth period. At harvest, cane stalks from virus-infected plots recorded a significant reduction in cane diameter, cane weight and number of internodes. Results of juice analysis revealed that virus infection reduced brix, sucrose per cent, purity and commercial cane sugar per cent in both sugarcane varieties. The results indicated that infection of SCMV in sugarcane may severely affect cane growth and sugar yield under field conditions, and sugar recovery to a significant level in the country.

Fuel characteristics of processed, high-fiber sugarcane

A study of treatment methods to improve the fuel characteristics of sugarcane variety B52298 was conducted. Two parent materials, whole cane (WC) and stripped cane (SC), were included in the study. The whole cane material was subjected to three treatments: (1) no treatment, WC-U; (2) a single milling, WC-M; and (3) an initial milling followed by leaching and a secondary milling, WC-MLM. Treatments (1) through (3) are in order of increasing severity. The stripped cane material was subjected to treatment (3) and designated as SC-MLM. Regardless of parent material, milling produced moisture contents of ∼50% wet basis and fiber bulk densities of ∼97 kg m −3 in the treated fuels and produced a shift in particle distributions toward smaller sizes. Geometric mean diameters (by weight) of the WC-U, WC-M, WC-MLM, and SC-MLM materials were 2.3, 1.8, 1.3, and 1.3 mm, respectively. Ash generated from the fuel was reduced by roughly 1% (absolute) for each milling operation, resulting in reductions of ∼2% for the WC-MLM and SC-MLM treatments. Ash reduction was primarily due to the removal of K, Cl, and S by the treatment operations. Ash removal, in addition to reductions in the O content of the treated fuels, contributed to an increase in the energy content of the fuels from ∼17.6 MJ kg −1 in the parent materials to 18.4 and 19.2 MJ kg −1 for the WC-MLM and SC-MLM treatments, respectively. K, Cl, S, and N concentrations were all reduced in the fuel by the treatments. K comprised ∼1.3% of the parent materials and Cl accounted for 0.65% and 0.83% of dry matter for the whole cane and stripped cane parent materials, respectively. Reductions in K concentration relative to the parent materials for the WC-M, WC-MLM, and SC-MLM treatments were 50%, 86%, and 91%, respectively. Cl was reduced 62% by the WC-M treatment relative to the unprocessed whole cane, and removal was essentially complete for the two leached treatments. Sulfur in the two parent materials accounted for ∼0.22% of plant dry matter. Compared to the parent materials, the WC-M, WC-MLM, and SC-MLM treatments removed 36%, 82%, and 86% of the S, respectively. Nitrogen concentrations in the stripped cane and whole cane parent materials were 0.48% and 0.37%, respectively. Nitrogen reduction by the WC-M, WC-MLM, and SC-MLM treatments was 12%, 27%, and 57%, respectively. Ash deformation temperatures (oxidizing atmosphere) increased in the treated fuels compared to parent materials. Ash from the WC-MLM treatment did not attain the initial stage of deformation at the maximum test temperature, 1482 °C. Ash of the WC-M and SC-MLM treatments became fluid at ∼1350 °C. Experimentally determined fluid temperatures for the more severely treated fuels compared well with values predicted by a ternary phase diagram for the SiO 2–K 2O–CaO system. Slagging and fouling indices were computed for each of the fuel treatments. Values for WC-U and WC-M exceeded a benchmark of 0.34 kg (K 2O+Na 2O) GJ −1 and would be expected to cause ash deposition in boiler use. Values for the WC-MLM and SC-MLM treatments were 0.13 and 0.08 kg (K 2O+Na 2O) GJ −1, respectively, and are good candidates for boiler fuels. Concomitant reductions in S and Cl for these two fuels further reduce the likelihood of ash deposition, as well as improve environmental performance by reducing criteria and acid gas pollutant emissions. Mass balances for K and Cl were conducted for the treatment operations. Closure for the balances ranged from 112% to 122% over all treatments, and was viewed as validating the consistency of the results.

Pabellón del club náutico de Sevilla

This lightweight pavillion is a provisional design, until the permanent Social Headquarters of the Nautical Club of Seville is built. Its plan layout is L shaped, and it faces south and west, so that its main frontage has maximum sunshine during the colder months. As it was anticipated that this building should have multiple uses, so that it could serve as dining room, meeting, and lecture hall, etc., it was decided to suspend from the ceiling a kind of reed woven curtains, which due to their lightness and flexibility, make it easy to subdivide in various ways the building, according to particular requirements. An ondulated canopy and screens, which gyrate about a vertical axis, have been fitted on the outside. These are covered with cane material. Inside, the walls are white, except for a number of lines made with tiles. There is also a picture, and a stand with the sporting trophies; this being the only ornamentation. The furniture is mostly made of cloth and cane, and a number of plants is also distributed about the building, thereby contributing to create a «winter garden» atmosphere, which is highly compatible with the general layout.