Corn Biomass Research Articles

Comparison of Molecularly Identified Resistant and Susceptible Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.) Populations at ALS Gene, in the Absence and Presence of Field Crops

Background/Objectives: Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is an erect tetraploid, perennial, C4 grass weed species categorized among the world’s most noxious weeds due to its high competitive ability against crops and the increased number of field-evolved herbicide-resistant populations. The aim of the present study was to assess the growth rate and performance of resistant (R) johnsongrass genotypes hosting Trp574Leu target-site cross-resistance at ALS gene, inhibiting various herbicides, compared to susceptible (S) conspecific weeds, in the absence and presence of corn or sunflower antagonism. Methods: The aboveground biomass, tiller, and rhizome production ability of one S and one R johnsongrass population with a Trp574-Leu substitution conferring cross-resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides were compared under non-competitive conditions. Furthermore, the competitive ability of these two johnsongrass populations against corn or sunflower was determined in a target-neighborhood design. Results: The S and R johnsongrass populations displayed similar growth rates concerning aboveground biomass and tiller number, whereas the R population displayed a slightly greater growth rate for rhizome production compared to the S population. Both populations grown with corn produced more aboveground biomass than the ones grown with sunflowers. The aboveground biomass of corn was reduced to a greater extent than sunflower by the presence of both johnsongrass populations, while both crops were affected more by the S than by the R population. Conclusions: Although the inheritance and the genetic background of plant materls were not addressed, the findings of this study indicate clearly that the growth rate and competitive ability of the ALS-resistant johnsongrass population are not associated with the resistance mechanism involved.

Effect of center-pivot and subsurface drip irrigation systems on growth and evapotranspiration of volunteer corn in corn, soybean, and sorghum

Abstract Volunteer corn (Zea mays L.) is a competitive weed in corn-based cropping systems. Scientific literature does not exist about the water use of volunteer corn grown in different crops and irrigation systems. The objectives of this study were to characterize the growth and evapotranspiration (ETa) of volunteer corn in corn, soybean [Glycine max (L). Merr.], and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under center-pivot irrigation (CPI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems. Field experiments were conducted in south-central Nebraska in 2021 and 2022. Soil moisture sensors were installed at depths of 0 to 0.30, 0.30 to 0.60, and 0.60 to 0.90 m to track soil water balance and quantify seasonal total ETa. Corn was the most competitive, as volunteer corn had the lowest biomass, leaf area, and plant height compared with the fallow. Soybean was the least competitive with volunteer corn, as the plant height, biomass, and leaf area of volunteer corn in soybean were similar to fallow at 15, 30, 45, and 60 d after transplanting (DATr). Averaged across crop treatments, irrigation type did not affect volunteer corn growth at 15 to 45 DATr. Soil water depletion and ETa were similar across crop treatments with and without volunteer corn, as water was not a limiting factor in this study. The ETa of volunteer corn was the highest in soybean (623 mm), followed by sorghum (622 mm), and corn (617 mm) under CPI. The SDI had higher irrigation efficiency, because without affecting crop yield, it had 3%, 6%, and 8% lower ETa in soybean (605 mm), sorghum (585 mm), and corn (571 mm), respectively. Although soil water use did not differ with volunteer corn infestation, a soybean yield loss of 27% was observed, which suggests that volunteer corn may not compete for moisture under fully irrigated conditions; however, it can impact the crop yield potential due to competition for factors other than soil moisture.

Corn biomass as a feedstock for biorefinery: a bibliometric analysis of research on bioenergy, biofuel and value‐added products

AbstractLimited research has been dedicated to exploring the potential reuse and creation of value‐added products from corn stover. Existing gaps in current research underscore the need for waste biorefineries that adhere to the principles of a circular bioeconomy to maximize the value of corn stover. This review uses bibliometric analysis from the past decade to examine the potential and pathways for converting corn stover into energy and value‐added products within the biorefinery framework. The data were processed using the Web of Science® database and analyzed with the VosViewer® bibliometric software's, Bibliometrix package in R and Gephi, generating keyword‐based maps. A total of 2557 experimental articles and 30 reviews on corn stover research were analyzed. The bibliometric study revealed that the primary research focuses on pretreatment technologies for converting corn stover into value‐added products, bioenergy and biofuels. The main technologies employed include acid, alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as torrefaction anaerobic digestion and steam explosion. The pretreatment processes yield sugars, xylooligosaccharides and organic acids. Additionally, the studies explored the use of corn stover biochar for soil remediation and adsorption processes. This review aims to enhance the understanding of technological pathways explored in previous research, contributing to the evaluation of sustainable processes for utilizing corn stover byproducts. Ultimately, it promotes environmentally conscious agroindustry practices that align with circular economy principles and sustainable development.

Energy Quality of Corn Biomass from Gasoline-Contaminated Soils Remediated with Sorbents

Soil contaminated with petroleum-derived products should be used to cultivate energy crops. One such crop is Zea mays. Therefore, a study was performed to determine the suitability of Zea mays biomass obtained from gasoline-contaminated soil for energy purposes. The analysis included determining the heat of combustion and calorific value of the biomass, as well as the content of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and ash in the biomass. Additionally, the suitability of vermiculite, dolomite, perlite, and agrobasalt for the phytostabilization of gasoline-contaminated soil was evaluated. It was found that the application of sorbents to gasoline-contaminated soil significantly reduced the severe negative effects of this petroleum product on the growth and development of Zea mays. Gasoline contamination of the soil caused a significant increase in ash, nitrogen, and sulfur, along with a decrease in carbon and oxygen content. However, it had no negative effect on the heat of combustion or calorific value of the biomass, although it did reduce the energy production from Zea mays biomass due to a reduction in yield. An important achievement of the study is the demonstration that all the applied sorbents have a positive effect on soil stabilization, which in turn enhances the amount of Zea mays biomass harvested and the energy produced from it. The best results were observed after the application of agrobasalt, dolomite, and vermiculite on gasoline-contaminated soil. Therefore, these sorbents can be recommended for the phytostabilization of gasoline-contaminated soil intended for the cultivation of energy crops.

Activated Carbons Derived from Different Parts of Corn Plant and Their Ability to Remove Phenoxyacetic Herbicides from Polluted Water

In this study, the adsorption of phenoxyacetic acid (PAA) and its chlorinated derivatives, including 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4CPA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on activated carbons (ACs) from corn kernels (AC-K), corn leaves (AC-L), and corn silk (AC-S) were investigated. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and the film diffusion was the rate-limiting step. The adsorption rate increased in the order PAA < 4CPA < 2,4-D and was correlated with the porous structure (mesopore volume) of these ACs. The Langmuir isotherm models best fit the experimental data; PAA was adsorbed least and 2,4-D most preferentially. The observed trend (PAA < 4CPA < 2,4-D) was positively correlated with the molecular weight of the adsorbates and their hydrophobicity while being inversely correlated with their solubility in water. The adsorption for 2,4-D, according to the Langmuir equation, is equal to 2.078, 2.135, and 2.467 mmol/g and SBET 1600, 1720, and 1965 m2/g, respectively. The results for other herbicides showed a similar correlation. The adsorption of phenoxy herbicides was strongly pH-dependent. The ACs produced from corn biomass can be an eco-friendly choice, offering sustainable products that could be used as efficient adsorbents for removing phenoxyacetic herbicides from water.

Porous carbon derived from center part of the corn cob for high-performance symmetrical supercapacitors

The central part of agricultural waste biomass corn cob was used as carbon precursor and KHCO3 as activating agent, and porous carbon materials were prepared by one-step carbonization method. The effect of KHCO3 on the structure and properties of porous carbon was studied. The results show that KHCO3 has an etching effect on porous carbon, and the greater the amount of KHCO3, the stronger the etching effect. The obtained biomass porous carbon material has abundant pores, reasonable pore size distribution and high specific surface area, which is conducive to ion transfer and charge storage. In addition, the heteroatom self-doping of porous carbon can improve surface hydrophilicity and generate additional pseudocapacitance, thereby improving its electrochemical properties. Electrochemical characterization shows that the porous carbon has a specific capacitor of up to 323 F g−1. The assembled symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) has an energy density of 20 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 350 W kg−1. This low-cost, high-performance electrode material has potential applications in high-power supercapacitors.

The Ensiling melon biomass with different levels of inclusion of ground corn

The aim of this study was to evaluate silages produced with different mixtures of melon biomass and different levels of ground corn. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design in factorial scheme (3 × 4), with four replications. The first factor consieted of three mixtures of plant (branch and leaf) and fruit (melon; scraps) on natural matter (NM) as follows: 0, 100 and 1000 g kg-1 fruit. The second factor consisted of the use of different amounts of ground corn (0, 50, 100 and 200 g kg-1). Experimental silos with capacity for 5 kg and density of 500 kg m-3 were used. After 90 days, the silos were opened and the evaluations were carried out. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were analyzed through the Tukey’s test (fermentative losses, chemical composition, aerobic stability), Scott-Knott test (microbiology and organic acids) and regression, and were compared with a significance level of p<0.05. The best dry matter results were obtained in silages with 0, 100 and 1000 g kg-1 fruit combined with 200 g kg-1 ground corn, which averaged 289.4, 290.4 and 264.1 g kg-1, respectively. Quadratic behavior was observed for effluent losses in silages with 100 g kg-1 fruit presenting a minimum value of 46.8 e and a maximum 56.2 kg t-1 NM. Regarding the mold population count, the highest values were obtained in silages with 100 g kg-1 fruit and 50 g kg-1 ground corn. Silages with 100 and 1000 g kg-1 fruit in melon biomass and 200 g kg-1 ground corn presented superior quality indicators, characterizing these biomass mixtures as the most suitable for silage making.

Simulation of tomato and corn growth using a modified intercropping model considering radiation interception in two-dimensional space and air temperature stress

Intercropping system has been widely applied in the agricultural production worldwide. However, the difference in agricultural productivity in tomato–corn intercropping system with different spatial arrangements has not been determined. Meanwhile, the existing intercropping models cannot precisely capture inter-species crop growth dynamics. Therefore, a 10-year (2010–2019) experimental field study was conducted in Hetao irrigation district, China, for the parameterization and evaluation of the model. The experiment data from the typical years (2018 and 2019) was adopted to analyze the crop growth dynamics in different hydrological years and different systems [two rows of tomato intercropping two rows of corn (IC2–2), four rows of tomato intercropping two rows of corn (IC4–2), sole corn (SC), and sole tomato (ST)]. Moreover, a modified intercropping model considering radiation interception in two-dimensional space and air temperature stress (MICG) was deduced. The results revealed that the MICG model can precisely simulate inter-species crop growth in tomato–corn intercropping system with different spatial arrangements. The mean relative error (MRE), normalized root mean square error (nRMSE), determination coefficient (R2), and percentage bias (PBIAS) of leaf area index (LAI) simulated by the MICG model in different spatial arrangements were 9.0 %, 7.8 %, 0.97, and –5.3 % for corn and 11.0 %, 7.8 %, 0.95, and 0.1 % for tomato, respectively. An apparent difference in the simulation accuracy was observed among different intercropping models in the rapid and senescence crop growth stages. The simulation accuracy of the MICG model was apparently higher than that of ICGw and ICG models. However, the MICG model still needs to be further improved considering its some limitations, e.g., the soil respiration and soil nitrogen transformation modules need be introduced in this model. Additionally, an apparent difference in crop growth dynamics in different spatial arrangements was observed, particularly in different hydrological years. The largest difference in crop growth dynamics in different spatial arrangements was observed in the middle crop growth stage (days after sowing [DAS] 20–100) in the wet year and in the late crop growth stage (DAS 101–140) in the dry year. In general, the highest aboveground biomass and yields of corn and tomato were observed in the IC2–2 and ST systems, respectively. However, the highest water use efficiency for corn (23.9) and tomato (268.7) was observed in the IC4–2 and ST systems, respectively. The agricultural production benefits in the IC4–2 system were better than in the IC2–2 system. Average land equivalent ratio and water equivalent ratio in both years increased by 0.8 % and 12.5 % in the IC4–2 system compared with those in the IC2–2 system, respectively. Overall, the IC4–2 system could be recommended as the most optimal spatial arrangement for the tomato–corn intercropping system.

The role of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing fertiliser efficiency in agriculture

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of mycorrhizal fungi on the yield, biomass and quality of cereals (wheat and maize) in the South of Ukraine. For the experiment, control and experimental plots were selected where mycorrhizal fungi were used to improve plant nutrient uptake. The research process included detailed measurements of yields, biomass and uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium at different stages of the growing season. The results showed that the use of mycorrhizal fungi increased wheat yields by 15% and corn yields by 18% in the experimental plots compared to the control plots, which was achieved through increased nutrient uptake from deeper soil layers. Wheat biomass increased by 12% and corn biomass by 14%, indicating a positive impact of mycorrhiza on plant development. Phosphorus uptake at a depth of 20-30 cm increased by 50%, which contributed to better root development and the supply of available elements to plants. In addition, we recorded a 7% increase in protein content in wheat grain and a 9% increase in corn, which indicates an improvement in the nutritional and feed value of the products. The analysis also showed a 4% increase in the oil content of corn grain, which increases its economic value. Another important result was a 15% reduction in mineral fertiliser costs due to improved nutrient use efficiency, which reduces the need for additional fertiliser. The results confirm that the use of mycorrhizal fungi is an effective method for increasing yields, product quality and economic efficiency of agricultural production

Effect of Aminating Lignin Loading with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Aggregate Structure Improvement.

Lignin is an important component of plant fiber raw materials, and is a three-dimensional network structure aromatic polymer with abundant resources and a complex structure in nature. Lignin is generally used as industrial waste, and its potential value has not been fully utilized. Modern agriculture extensively uses chemical fertilizers, leading to the gradual degradation of soil fertility and structure, which seriously affects crop growth, nutrient transport, and root respiration function. Based on soil bulk density, porosity, aggregates, and their stability indicators, this study analyzed the effects of aminated industrial lignin and its loading with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soil structure improvement and plant growth. It was hoped that resource-rich lignin could play a beneficial role in improving soil structure and promoting crop growth. The phenolic hydroxyl group of lignin was epoxidized and further aminated to load with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The results indicated that amine-modified lignin could effectively load with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-supported aminated lignin to soil aggregate structure improvement greatly reduced the bulk density of soil, and increased the porosity of soil and the content of large granular soil. Compared with unmodified soil, soil bulk density decreased by 73.08%, the porosity of soil increased by 70.43%, and the content of large granular soil increased by 56.38%. Using the improved soil for corn cultivation efficiently increased the biomass of corn. The plant height was increased by 72.16%, the root-shoot ratio was increased by 156.25%, and other indexes were also improved to varying degrees. The experimental method provides an important basis for the effective utilization of lignin materials in agriculture in the future.

A rapid monitoring protocol to estimate unharvested corn biomass in waterfowl impoundments

AbstractConservation planners use bioenergetic models to develop habitat objectives that satisfy energetic demands of waterfowl during nonbreeding periods. In turn, natural resource managers should estimate yield and availability of natural and cultivated waterfowl forage to monitor contributions to objectives and support adaptive resource management. Because bioenergetic models are particularly sensitive to unharvested flooded croplands, we developed a rapid methodology to estimate biomass of unharvested flooded corn (Zea mays) and tested our methodology in impounded corn fields planted and flooded in western Tennessee during autumn and winter of 2019–2021. We evaluated accuracy of our rapid assessment method and conducted simulations to assess variance‐bias trade‐offs relative to sample size. Rapid assessments lasted 20 min ± 10 minutes per field. Our rapid assessment method underestimated number of kernels per ear by 2.6% ± 0.5%. After adjusting for underestimation bias, corn biomass across all surveys was 5,500 kg/ha ± 250 kg/ha, which is similar yield to previous literature from waterfowl impoundment fields. Sampling 15 ears per field allowed field biomass to be estimated within acceptable accuracy (i.e., variance [SE] of mean percent error <1.8%). We recommend our rapid yield assessment method be incorporated into habitat monitoring protocols to efficiently and precisely estimate corn biomass for improved conservation planning initiatives. Additionally, our rapid assessment method allows managers to monitor field yield rapidly, enabling estimates of corn depletion and availability throughout the nonbreeding season for waterfowl to support management decisions.

Assessing the Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Determine Saccharification Efficiency of Corn Biomass

Nowadays, in the bioethanol production process, improving the simplicity and yield of cell wall saccharification procedure represent the main technical hurdles to overcome. This work evaluated the application of a rapid and cost-effective technology such as near -infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for easily predict saccharification efficiency from corn stover biomass. Calibration process focussing on the number of samples and the genetic background of the maize inbred lines were tested; while Modified Partial Least Squares Regression (MPLS) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) were assessed in predictions. The predictive capacity of the NIRS models was mainly determined by the coefficient of determination (r2ev) and the index of prediction to deviation (RPDev) in external validation. Overall, we could check a better efficiency of the NIRS calibration process for saccharification using larger number of observations (1500 sample set) and genetic backgrounds; while MPLS regression provided better prediction statistics (r2ev = 0.80; RPDev = 2.21) compared to MLR (r2ev = 0.68; RPDev = 1.75). These results indicate that NIRS could be successfully implemented as a large-phenotyping tool in order to test the saccharification potential of corn biomass.

Estimation of Corn Net Primary Productivity and Carbon Sequestration Based on the CASA Model: A Case Study of the Fen River Basin

The utilization of remote sensing technology to assess changes in crop net primary productivity (NPP), biomass, and carbon sequestration within the Fen River Basin, a crucial agricultural region in China, is important for achieving agricultural modernization, enhancing ecological environment quality, and obtaining carbon neutrality objectives. This study employed satellite remote sensing and the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach (CASA) model as research methods to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of corn NPP in the Fen River Basin. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the response of corn NPP to various environmental factors in the region, while aboveground biomass and carbon sequestration of corn were estimated using a biomass inversion model driven by NPP and principles of photosynthesis in green plants. The findings revealed that, from a temporal perspective, corn NPP in the Fen River Basin exhibited a unimodal variation pattern, with an average value of 368.65 gC/m2. Spatially, the corn NPP displayed a discernible differentiation pattern, with the highest values primarily observed in the middle reaches of the Fen River Basin. Throughout the spatial and temporal variations in corn NPP during 2011–2020, the carbon sequestration capacity of corn exhibited an upward trend, particularly since 2017. The corn NPP displayed a positive correlation with temperature and precipitation. The response to solar radiation was mildly negative and a mildly positive correlation. In 2020, the aboveground biomass and carbon sequestration of corn followed a normal distribution, with the highest values concentrated in the northwestern part of the lower Fen River.

Imidazole as a new strategy in the lignocellulosic pretreatment: An application in corn sub-products with a focus on bioenergy production

To enhance the efficiency of pretreatment processes for lignocellulosic biomass, this study utilized the green solvent imidazole to pretreat residual corn biomass (corn straw (CS) and corncob (CC)) with a focus on cellulose recovery for ethanol production. The pretreatment involved varying temperatures (ranging from 120 to 180 °C) and times (30 and 60 min) with biomass:imidazole ratio of 1:9 (w.w−1). The effects of imidazole pretreatment on the biomasses were examined by analyzing the chemical composition, surface morphology, cellulose crystallinity, and compositional changes. The results demonstrated a significant alteration of the lignocellulosic complex due to imidazole pretreatment, resulting in a reduction of the lignin content, reaching 81.47 % and 74 % for CS (180°C-60min) and CC (180°C-30min), respectively. Moreover, the cellulose content in the pretreated solids increased by approximately 1.5 times compared to the raw biomass. The pretreated biomasses were subjected to enzyme hydrolysis (after pretreated at a higher temperature (150–180 °C)), which led to a high glucose yield. CC achieved a glucose yield of 100 %, while CS yielded 77 %. Alcoholic fermentation was carried out using Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAT-1, resulting in an ethanol yield of 82 % in 12 h for CC (180 °C for 30 min) and 66 % for CS (150 °C for 1 h).

Study on the auxin-like activity of organic compounds extracted from corn waste hydrochar prepared by hydrothermal carbonization

ABSTRACT This work studied the auxin-like activity of liquid and solid hydrochar from aboveground corn biomass prepared using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Understanding the action of organic compounds in regulating plant metabolism is important to develop strategies to improve plant growth and production. Bioassays were performed by testing liquid hydrochar concentrations in the range of 0.0557-5570.0 mg carbon L−1; and solid hydrochar (via extracted dissolved organic matter, DOM) in the range of 0.026-2600.0 mg carbon L−1, using seeds of Lactuca sativa. SEM, ATR-FTIR, and Py-GC/MS were applied to assess the effect of HTC on hydrochar production/composition. Liquid hydrochar presented an intense bioactivity, completely inhibiting the germination of testing seeds at higher concentrations. Liquid hydrochar also was considerably more bioactive. Py-GC/MS allowed the identification of the molecules involved in IAA-like effects: carboxylic acids (linear and aromatic) and amino acids. The concentration of more bioactive molecules, rather than their simple presence in the hydrochar fraction, determined the bio-stimulating effect, besides an excellent linear regression between the auxin-like effect and the concentration of active molecules.

Biobased nano-biopolymer production from corn biomass: Its Physical, biochemical, and chemical properties

The study was carried out to evaluate the nano cellulose-based nano-bishop polymer, for pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses using corn stem leaf biomass. Pyrolysis, plasticizer mixture, and bioprocess technology were used for this experiment. The result showed that nano-biopolymer absorbed negligible water percent (0.01%). The odor was examined by a burning test and exhibited the standardization as ASTM (American Standard for Testing and Materials). Moreover, color, tensile strength, pH, and cellulose content show the ASTM standard compared to the synthetic polymer. Besides, chemical element tests like K, CO3, Cl & Na exhibited positive results in the laboratory using the EN (166)) standardization. From the results, it was observed that organic-based nanocellulose-derived nano-biopolymers were better than synthetic-based polymers. Therefore, it can be concluded that organic-based biodegradable nanobio-polymers may be used as biomedical and medical components in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry.

Divergent effects of azithromycin on purple corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation: Impact on biomass and antioxidant compounds.

The present study assessed the impact of using irrigation water contaminated with Azithromycin (AZM) residues on the biomass and antioxidant compounds of purple corn; for this purpose, the plants were cultivated under ambient conditions, and the substrate used consisted of soil free from AZM residues, mixed with compost in a ratio of 1:1 (v/v). The experiment was completely randomized with four replications, with treatments of 0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L of AZM. The results indicate that the presence of AZM in irrigation water at doses of 1 and 10 μg/L increases the weight of dry aboveground biomass, while at an amount of 100 μg/L, it decreases. Likewise, this study reveals that by increasing the concentration of AZM from 1 to 10 μg/L, total polyphenols and monomeric anthocyanins double, in contrast, with an increase to 100 μg/L, these decrease by 44 and 53%, respectively. It has been demonstrated that purple corn exposed to the antibiotic AZM at low doses has a notable antioxidant function in terms of DPPH and ORAC. The content of flavonols, phenolic acids, and flavanols increases by 57, 28, and 83%, respectively, when the AZM concentration is from 1 to 10 μg/L. However, with an increase to 100 μg/L, these compounds decrease by 17, 40, and 42%, respectively. On the other hand, stem length, root length, and dry weight of root biomass are not significantly affected by the presence of AZM in irrigation water.

Pyrolysis of corn stalks: The potential of using bio-oil as a fuel

Due to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels, there is a growing demand for renewable energy resources. At the same time, a significant amount of agricultural waste accumulates, including corn residues, and efficient management of this waste is a challenge. In this work, the waste biomass, which consisted of the stalks of two types of corn, was characterized and subjected to the pyrolysis process at 400?C. Physicochemical characterization of the obtained liquid fraction (bio-oil) was performed, and the obtained data were compared with literature data for liquid biofuel. The calorific value of bio-oil was above 22 MJ kg-1, which indicates the good potential of waste corn biomass as an energy source. With appropriate further changes in the composition of waste, by adding materials with a higher carbon and hydrogen content, corn stalks can represent a significant energy source, with better regulation of disposal and storage of agricultural waste.

Cross Flow Microfiltration System in Separating Fermented Nixtamal Corn for Preparation of Natural Folic Acid

A purification process of biomass of nixtamal yellow corn fermented by Rhizopus oligosporus strain C1 (FNC-A) and Rhizopus sp (FNC-B) was performed using a microfiltration (MF) membrane with pore size 0.15 µm installed in a crossflow microfiltration (CFMF) system to obtain retentate and permeate fractions as natural folic acid preparations. CFMF process was conducted at room temperature with a pump motor frequency (PMF) of 10 Hz (flow rate of 3.5 L/min) and a transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 4 bar for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes. Based on optimum folic acid, the results showed that the best treatments of FNC-B and FNC-B were achieved at 90 min, resulting in a folic acid increase in retentate of FNC-A and FNC- B of 72.61 and 95.26%, reducing sugar of 20.41 and 170.93% (1.7-folds), total sugars of 155.51% (1.55-folds) and 426.76% (4.27-folds), and dissolved protein of 55.33 and 39.20%, and decrease in total solids of 88.91 and 91.64%, respectively, compared to initial biomass of FNC-A and FNC-B. The MFCF system effectively separated folic acid in retentates of FNC-A (33.77%) and FNC-B (95.27%) at the optimal condition. Folic acid monomers predominated the characteristics of FNC-A and FNC-B in optimum conditions with molecular weights of 442.10 and 442.18 Dalton, the average particle size of 38.31 μm and 37.97 μm, and distribution of particles at 10, 50, and 90% from the particle size 10.31, 26.32 and 81.55 μm, and 10.37, 28.04 and 76.09 μm, respectively.

Cross Flow Microfiltration System in Separating Fermented Nixtamal Corn for Preparation of Natural Folic Acid

A purification process of biomass of nixtamal yellow corn fermented by Rhizopus oligosporus strain C1 (FNC-A) and Rhizopus sp (FNC-B) was performed using a microfiltration (MF) membrane with pore size 0.15 µm installed in a crossflow microfiltration (CFMF) system to obtain retentate and permeate fractions as natural folic acid preparations. CFMF process was conducted at room temperature with a pump motor frequency (PMF) of 10 Hz (flow rate of 3.5 L/min) and a transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 4 bar for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes. Based on optimum folic acid, the results showed that the best treatments of FNC-B and FNC-B were achieved at 90 min, resulting in a folic acid increase in retentate of FNC-A and FNC- B of 72.61 and 95.26%, reducing sugar of 20.41 and 170.93% (1.7-folds), total sugars of 155.51% (1.55-folds) and 426.76% (4.27-folds), and dissolved protein of 55.33 and 39.20%, and decrease in total solids of 88.91 and 91.64%, respectively, compared to initial biomass of FNC-A and FNC-B. The MFCF system effectively separated folic acid in retentates of FNC-A (33.77%) and FNC-B (95.27%) at the optimal condition. Folic acid monomers predominated the characteristics of FNC-A and FNC-B in optimum conditions with molecular weights of 442.10 and 442.18 Dalton, the average particle size of 38.31 μm and 37.97 μm, and distribution of particles at 10, 50, and 90% from the particle size 10.31, 26.32 and 81.55 μm, and 10.37, 28.04 and 76.09 μm, respectively.