Dry Fraction Research Articles

Dry and wet fractionation of plant proteins: How a hybrid process increases yield and impacts nutritional value of faba beans proteins

A combined dry and wet fractionation process is proposed to extract faba bean proteins with lower environmental impact. This fractionation process allowed to recover 87% of the total seeds proteins (92% of dehulled seeds proteins). This is achieved through the production of two protein concentrates (54 and 61% protein content w/w DM). After dry fractionation, wet extraction was performed on the protein-depleted fraction. The presented process consumed less energy and 5.5 times less water per kg extracted proteins, compared to traditional one-step wet extractions. Some anti-nutritional factors contents were also evaluated. Equivalent levels of phytic acid (about 11 mg/g), trypsin inhibitor activity (about 13 trypsin inhibition unit/g) and polyphenols (about 6 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) were observed in the 2 protein-rich fractions. These levels are mainly equivalent to those found after usual dry and wet one-step extractions. Significant differences of calcium, iron and zinc contents were observed between the 2 protein-rich fractions, causing a 30 to 50% difference between those fractions in terms of phytic acid/minerals ratio. Antinutritional factors content in the protein-rich fractions are equivalent to levels found in traditional legumes but still higher than existing recommendations.

Critical heat flux and the dryout of liquid film in vertical two-phase annular flow

The entire liquid-film dryout process in a vertical two-phase annular flow is characterized experimentally, from inception to completion. Experiments are conducted using saturated R245fa at high vapor qualities in a heated rectangular channel with a hydraulic diameter of 18 mm and an aspect ratio of 1/3. The walls of the test section are made of glass coated with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). Heat fluxes up to 50 kW/m2 are generated at the inner surface of the window by passing an electrical current through the FTO coating. Instantaneous pressure and temperature in the test section, temperature on the outer wall of the test section, liquid-film thickness, and high-speed videos are recorded simultaneously during the dryout events. In addition, the state (wet or dry) of the heated surface is measured using a non-invasive laser reflectance technique at high sampling rate (2000 Hz) and over long periods of time (> 1000 s). The laser reflectance measurement is used to calculate the time-averaged dry fraction, fdry, which is the fraction of time that the wall is dry during intermittent cycles of dryout and rewet. Data show that cyclic dryout starts before the critical heat flux (CHF) is reached. The dryout heat flux (DHF), which marks the onset of dryout, is typically 90% of the CHF, except at very high quality (x>0.95), where it can be as low as 50% of CHF. For all the investigated mass fluxes, CHF, where the heat transfer coefficient peaks, occurs consistently at fdry≈ 0.05. Further insight into the liquid-film behavior at the onset of dryout is obtained by combining analyses of high-speed videos, time-resolved liquid-film thickness signals, and statistics about the duration of and time between dryout events. The rewetting process is driven by disturbance waves. In the wake of disturbance waves, the liquid film is almost stationary. Calculations of the characteristic time it takes for this stationary film to evaporate predict well the characteristic time during dryout events measured with the laser reflectance method.

Key CO2 capture technology of pure oxygen exhaust gas combustion for syngas-fueled high-temperature fuel cells

Integrated gasification fuel cells (IGFCs) integrating high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology with CO2 capture processes represents highly-efficient power systems with negligible CO2 emissions. Flame burning with pure oxygen is an ideal method for fuel cell exhaust gas treatment, and this report describes experimental and numerical studies regarding an oxy-combustor for treating the exhaust gas of a 10 kW IGFC system anode. The applied simulation method was verified based on experiments, and the key performance indices of the combustor were studied under various conditions. It was determined that 315 K was the ideal condensation temperature to obtain flame stability. Under these pure oxygen flame burning conditions, CO was almost completely converted, and the dry mole fraction of CO2 after burning was ≥ 0.958 when there was up to 5% excess O2. Overall, 5% excess O2 was recommended to maximize CO2 capture and promote other environmental considerations. Additionally, the optimal tangential fuel jet angle to control the liner temperature was approximately 25°. The total fuel utilization had to be high enough to maintain the oxygen flame temperature of the anode exhaust gas below 1800 K to ensure that the system was environmentally friendly. The results presented herein have great value for designing IGFCs coupled with CO2 capture systems.

Kualitas Hijauan Rumput Gajah (Pennisetum purpureum) Berbeda Tipe Pertumbuhan: Review Kuantitatif

Study on the data of forage quality was conducted to determine the quality of napier grass forage with different growth and morfological type. In Indonesia, there are two types of napier grass, namely the tall and short type. The data used in this study were of proximate and van soest analysis of tall-type napier grass forage Pennisetum purpureum Schum and short-type napier grass, cultivar Mott dwarf, which were obtained from the Bekasi Feed Quality and Certification Center and data obtained from journals. The results of the study showed that dry matter content of short-type napier grass was higher than those of tall-type napier grass (23% vs 20%), while fiber fractions such as crude fiber, NDF and ADF of short-type napier grass were lower than those of tall-type napier grass 32% vs 29%, 70% vs 65%, 43% vs 39%, respectively. It is therefore relative forage quality (RFQ) of short-type napier grass was higher than those of tall-type napier grass (68 vs 57). It is concluded that related to dry matter and fiber fraction value, the quality of short-type napier grass (cv. Mott) is better than those of tall-type napier grass.
 Key words: cultivar Mott, Pennisetum purpureum, relative forage quality (RFQ), short-type napier grass, tall-type napier grass

Dry Fractionation Approach in Concentrating Tocopherols and Tocotrienols from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate: A Green Pretreatment Process for Vitamin E Extraction

AbstractPalm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a rich source of vitamin E. As compared to other vegetable oil, PFAD has higher tocotrienol (70–80%) over tocopherol content, which makes it a valuable source for vitamin E extraction. Current vitamin E extraction methods are not sustainable due to the intensive usage of chemical and high operational cost. Hence, the present study investigated for the first time using dry fractionation process as a green and economical pretreatment method for separating solid fraction (stearin) and liquid fraction (olein) in order to concentrate vitamin E from PFAD in olein fraction. We examined the dry fractionation conditions: crystallization ending temperature (36–44 °C), cooling rate (0.3 and 1.5°C min−1), stirring speed (20–125 rpm), and holding time (0–60 min) on the composition of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids as well as vitamin E content in liquid fraction (olein) and solid fraction (stearin) using gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In most of these conditions, vitamin E was ultimately higher in olein fraction as compared to stearin fraction, which is correlated with the high degree of unsaturation. Under a cooling rate of 0.3°C min−1, 90 rpm stirring speed, and ending crystallization of 38 °C, the highest vitamin E rich olein fraction was attained with 1479 ± 10.51 ppm in 50 g olein fraction as compared to 1366 ± 7.94 ppm in 500 g of unfractionated PFAD.

Carbon production from seasonal litterfall in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Forests play an important role in climate change, acting as a source or sink of carbon. There is, however, a lack of data regarding the carbon production from litterfall in tropical forests. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most distinguished forest types in Brazil, encompassing the Araucaria Forest. In this study, we assessed the seasonal carbon production from litterfall. Data were collected every season from 27 litter traps. Dry matter and carbon fraction were investigated and confronted with meteorological variables. Litterfall components were stratified into Brazilian pine leaves and twigs: broadleaved leaves, twigs, bark, reproductive material, and other material (miscellaneous). The Tukey test indicated significant differences among the carbon fractions for litter components. Seven key species were determinant in litterfall production. Brazilian pine leaves and twigs were the primary carbon source to the forest, followed by leaves and twigs from broadleaved species. Most carbon input from litterfall comes during spring and summer. We concluded that litterfall is a source of carbon and nutrient to the ecosystem. This study contributes to improving the Brazilian national greenhouse inventory and related reports addressed to climate change mitigation.

Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted extraction conditions for phenolics, antioxidant, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of Vietnamese brown seaweed (Padina australis)

This study aimed to determine the optimum ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions for obtaining the highest yields of phenolics and antioxidants from Padina australis. The effects of extraction variables including temperature (40–60°C), extraction time (50–80 min), ethanol concentration (0%–60%) and sample-to-solvent ratio (1–5 g/100 mL) on the total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (DRSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined and optimized using Box-Behnken design in conjunction with response surface methodology (RSM). The extraction temperature, ethanol concentration and sample-to-solvent ratio significantly affected TPC and DRSA, while extraction time had no impact on TPC and antioxidant activity of P. australis within the tested ranges. The optimal UAE conditions were determined to be ultrasonic temperature of 60°C, ultrasonic time of 60 min, solvent concentration of 60% (v/v) aqueous ethanol and sample-to-solvent ratio of 1 g/100 mL. The developed mathematical models were found to be reliable predictors for TPC, DRSA and FRAP, and the predicted values fit well with the experimental data (R2 = 0.86–0.96). The extract was then fractionated to generate n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. Of these fractions, ethyl acetate fraction was found to possess the highest values of TPC (807.20 mg GAE/g), DPPH (1,417.01 mg TE/g), FRAP (615.07 mg TE/g dry fraction) and the strongest tyrosinase inhibitory activity (29.90 mg AAE/g). Practical applications The study employed ultrasound-assisted extraction technique, an advanced extraction method, and RSM method for maximizing the yields of phenolics and antioxidants from P. australis. In addition, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of P. australis extract and its fractions, for the first time, was also investigated. The results suggested the optimal UAE conditions to recover phenolics and bioactive compounds with high antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory properties from P. australis. Moreover, this study establishes that the ethyl acetate fraction derived from P. australis was a rich source of phenolics and antioxidants; thus, it could be further isolated and purified to obtain individual bioactive compounds for the utilization in the food and cosmeceutical industries.

Impact of fractionation on fatty acids composition, phenolic compounds, antioxidant characteristics of olein and super olein fractions of flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil was fractionated at −40°C, filtrate was designated as olein fraction (31% yield), which was further fractionated at −60°C, and filtrate was named as super olein fraction (17% yield). Flaxseed oil, olein, and super olein fractions were stored at 25°C–30°C for the duration of 90 days. Alpha linolenic acid in flaxseed oil, olein, and stearin fraction was 55.26%, 63.47%, and 71.61%. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) characterization showed that phenolic compound was concentrated in olein and super olein fractions. In super olein fraction of flaxseed oil, concentration of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid was 8.14, 40.59, 75.38, 7.95, and 9.27 mg/100 g. Total phenolic contents of flaxseed oil, olein, and super olein were 145, 185, and 247 mg GAE/100 g. Peroxide value of 90 days stored flaxseed oil, olein, and super olein was 0.59, 0.75, and 0.96 (MeqO2/kg) with no difference in color and flavor scores. Practical applications Several fractions of palm oil and milk fat are commercially produced for large number of industrial applications. However, fractionation of flaxseed oil is not previously performed, and chemical characteristics of olein and super olein fractions of flaxseed oil are not reported in literature. In this study, olein and super olein fractions of flaxseed oil were produced by dry fractionation. Super olein fraction revealed more than 70% alpha linolenic, higher magnitude of phenolic compounds than parent flaxseed oil, with reasonable oxidative stability and acceptable sensory attributes. Olein and super olein fraction of flaxseed oil may be conveniently used for the supplementation of large number of food products.

Sustainability analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management Programme in GMADA cluster, Punjab

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the important components of “Swachh Bharat Mission”, a campaign taken up by the Government of India with an aim to clean up the streets of Indian cities/towns and make them open defecation free. This paper analyses the action plans taken up by the government of Punjab in response to the new SWM Rules, 2016, for developing waste processing facilities. Mohali is particularly focused, for it is emerging as an educational hub, and coming up with a plan for developing a centralized waste processing facility to generate Refuse derived Fuel (RDF). Through this study, we try to highlight that the current chosen technology: RDF may not sustain, for a larger fraction of the wastes in Mohali is wet organics (62%), while the dry combustible fraction required for RDF is only 17%. Further, it has been observed that Mohali plans to connect 15 urban local bodies (ULBs) to a single processing site and a few of them are far (~70 km) and generate low daily wastes (5-7 TPD). Thus, looking at the obvious difficulties, the current study thus concludes that the SWM plan needs a revision with the more focus on anaerobic digestion (AD) or composting as they are best suited for handing wet organic wastes.

Sweet chestnut standardized fractions from sustainable circular process and green tea extract: In vitro inhibitory activity against phytopathogenic fungi for innovative applications in green agriculture.

In the present study, the antifungal activities of two commercial tannins-rich dry fractions towards different filamentous fungi of agronomical and food interest were evaluated. In particular, a standardized fraction from sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood by-products and a commercial green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaf extract were tested at different concentrations (0.1-5.0% and 0.2% w/v respectively). The Sweet Chestnut Wood fraction was produced in an industrial plant through an environmentally and economically sustainable process, involving hot-water extraction and a sequence of membrane filtration steps with different molecular cut-offs for fractionation and concentration of the active principles. The Sweet Chestnut Wood and Green Tea Leaf extracts were characterised via HPLC/DAD/MS quali-quantitative analysis. The first extract showed a polyphenolic content of 20.5% w/w, 100% hydrolysable tannins; the second one showed a polyphenolic content of 87.5% w/w, of which 96.2% epigallocatechin gallate and 3.8% epicatechin gallate. The antifungal activity of the Sweet Chestnut fraction in aqueous solutions was evaluated towards different filamentous fungi, in particular telluric phytopathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici; Fusarium solani; Rhizoctonia solani; Sclerotium rolfsii) and post harvest pathogens (Botrytis cinerea, that can also attack field plants; Penicillium digitatum; Penicillium italicum), and compared to the activity of Green Tea Leaf extract solutions. The experimental results evidenced, for almost all tested fungi, inhibition of the mycelial growth rate in presence of tannins. The lowest inhibitions were observed for B. cinerea (7.5%, to 28.9%) and P. italicum (53.8% in 5.0% w/v Sweet Chestnut extract substrate). A proportional inhibitory effect to tannin concentration was observed for F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and F. solani (from 33.7% to 56.6%), R. solani (from 29.7% to 68.8%) and P. digitatum (64.7% to 87.0%). The highest effect resulted for S. rolfsii, (5.0% to 100%).

Meat analogues from a faba bean concentrate can be generated by high moisture extrusion

The main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of production of meat analogues from a faba bean protein concentrate (obtained from dry fractionation) using high-moisture extrusion (HME). The impact of the temperature, ratio between water and product feed rate and product feed rate on the physicochemical properties of the meat analogues during high-moisture extrusion (HME) was studied. The functional, textural, and sensory properties were also assessed. The impact of the moisture content was generally higher than the impact of the temperature and the feed rate within the responses evaluated. The different extrusion conditions tested did not influence the relative distribution of the oligosaccharides. Meat analogues produced with temperatures ranging between 130 and 140 °C, ratio between water and product feed rate of 4 and feed rate of 11 rpm (1.10 Kg/h) had the most positive sensory and textural properties judged by a good bite-feel (firmness) and elasticity in line with attributes associated with this product category. Of oligosaccharides analysed the content of verbascose was the highest α-galacto-oligossacharide and the content of the oligosaccharides is significant higher in the extracts of the heat-treated material compared to the starting material.

Antinutritional factors, mineral composition and functional properties of dry fractionated flours as influenced by the type of pulse

Coarse (CF) and Fine (FF) fractions were obtained by dry fractionation (air classification) of raw micronized flour (RM) of kabuli chickpea, green pea, yellow and red lentil. Pea showed the highest phytate content in RM and CF. Stachyose was the main oligosaccharide in lentils, exceeding 50 mg g−1, whereas raffinose (39.9 mg g−1) was abundant in chickpea. Antinutritional factors were significantly enriched in FF, whereas decreased in CF. Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence identified potassium as the main macronutrient in pulses. Ca was highly variable, ranging from 0.92 to 0.28 g kg−1 in pea and yellow lentil, respectively. A significant shift of minerals was observed in FF, but despite the highest phytate content, phytate:Zn ratio of lentils was lower than RM, indicating that Zn was enriched more than phytates. Yellow lentil and pea FF showed a protein content higher than 55 g 100g−1. Dry fractionation significantly affected the physicochemical properties, indicating different potential use of fractions.

Characterization of dry fractions contained in municipal solid waste in developing countries: a case study of a region in Morocco

Despite its impact on the environment, the most widely used method for waste management in African countries is landfilling. Energy recovery, in particular refuse derived fuels (RDF), can be a promising option for sustainable waste management in the context of Africa. The scope of this work is to characterize dry fractions contained in municipal solid waste produced in a province in Morocco. The characterization was done according to the seasons, and to the type of area (urban and rural). A second characterization was done in laboratory for dry fractions in study area, and five other refuse derived fuel formulated. The results show that combustible fractions constitute 30% of the waste produced in the study area with a high quantity of textile and hygienic waste. Thus, the seasons and the type of area have an impact on the distribution of some combustible fractions such as paper, textiles, and hygienic waste and wood. Laboratory analysis of dry fractions from the study area and the combinations formed shows the effect of the composition on the quality of RDF, the presence of plastic improves its calorific value. The NCV, ash content, and chlorine content of dry fractions in the study area were measured obtaining a value of 18.65 MJ kg−1, 6.48%, and 0.21%, respectively. Therefore, the most predictive empirical model of net calorific value is the Chang model.

Settleable matter in a highly industrialized area: Chemistry and health risk assessment

Settleable particulate matter (SPM) was collected at two sampling points within an urban area highly affected by nearby industrial activities. Total deposition values up to 386 mg ·m−2·d−1 were registered, the majority of samples exceeding the limit value established in the legislation in force in Spain until 2002 (300 mg·m−2·d−1). Dry deposition values showed high variability (8.6–830.3 mg·m−2·d−1).Forty-one metals and metalloids were analysed in the dry fraction of SPM, the main being Fe and Ca (maximums: 304.4 and 68.6 mg·m−2·d−1, respectively), followed by Al, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Ti, P and Zn. Trace elements like As and Pb reached up to 7.3 and 76.3 μg· m−2·d−1, respectively. Strong correlations (r > 0.90, p-value < 0.05) between Fe and other elements (Ca, Mn and Pb) were found at both sampling sites. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of these particles rich in Fe and Ca, in addition to other components, whose morphologies pointed out to anthropogenic sources. These results combined with meteorology data suggest a common industrial source contributing to the levels of these metals.Furthermore, a human health risk study was carried out to assess the potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of exposure to thirteen elements in these particles (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn). The highest levels of risk seemed to be associated with the presence of As, Pb and Sb.

Bioprospecting of Coralline Red Alga Amphiroa rigida J.V. Lamouroux: Volatiles, Fatty Acids and Pigments.

Due to the lack of phytochemical composition data, the major goals of the present study on Amphiroa rigida J.V. Lamouroux were to: (a) investigate and compare volatilome profiles of fresh and air-dried samples obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and hydrodistillation (HD) followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis; (b) determine fatty acids profile by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID); (c) obtain the pigment profiles of semipurified extracts by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and (d) evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of its less polar fractions. The comparison of headspace of fresh (FrAr) and air-dried (DrAr) samples revealed many similarities regarding the presence and abundance of the major (heptadecane and pentadecane) and minor compounds. The hydrodistillate (HD) of DrAr profile was quite different in comparison to HD-FrAr. The predominant compound in HD-FrAr was (E)-phytol. In HD-DrAr, its percentage was approximately one-half reduced, but the abundance of its degradation product phytone and of unsaturated and oxygenated compounds increased indicating more intense fatty acid decomposition and oxidation during drying. The fatty acid determination revealed that the most dominant was palmitic acid (42.86%) followed by eicosapentaenoic acid (19.14%) and stearic acid (11.65%). Among the pigments, A. rigida contained fucoxanthin (0.63 mg g−1 of dry fraction), lutein (5.83 mg g−1), β-carotene (6.18 mg g−1) and chlorophyll a (13.65 mg g−1). The analyzed less polar fractions of A. rigida exhibited antioxidant scavenging activity with diammonium salt of 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-yl) sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay up to 3.87 mg g−1 trolox equivalents (TE), and with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay up to 825.63 μmol g−1 TE (with carotenoids as the major contributors).

Less refined ingredients have lower environmental impact – A life cycle assessment of protein-rich ingredients from oil- and starch-bearing crops

In the coming decades, meat-based protein foods will increasingly be replaced by plant-based protein foods. These are typically prepared from highly refined protein isolates or concentrates, which require a lot of energy and auxiliary chemicals to be produced. Milder techniques such as dry fractionation or mild aqueous fractionation deliver alternative ingredients that have a multicomponent character but do not need the same amount of chemicals and energy. This study aims to assess the effect of reducing the degree of refining on the environmental impact using a life cycle assessment. The functional unit was 1000 kg of the processed crop. As protein is considered key in these ingredients, the functional unit of 1 kg of protein in the produced fractions was also assessed. The contribution of processing to the overall impact was found to be significant and, in some cases, larger than the contribution by the crop cultivation. Therefore, any analysis of the environmental impact should include both. Reducing the degree of refining substantially reduces global warming potential, human carcinogenic toxicity, fossil resource scarcity, and water consumption. However, for all impact categories, drying remains the largest contributor. The global warming potential of less refined ingredients was still lower compared to the conventionally refined ingredients when expressed per kg of protein, despite the significantly lower amount of protein. The fractions obtained through mild aqueous fractionation have a higher protein yield and a lower global warming potential compared to conventional full refining. Both dry fractionation and the combination of dry and mild aqueous fractionation substantially lower the environmental impact, but the protein yield and purity are also considerably lower. Overall, linking environmental impact to protein purity and yield allows for a comprehensive selection of sustainable food ingredients. • A life cycle assessment was performed on different degrees of refined ingredients. • The footprint of processing is equal or larger than cultivation of ingredients. • Drying is mostly responsible for the impact of ingredient processing. • Protein purity, yield, and footprint were linked to pick sustainable ingredients. • Milder processes can deliver protein-rich ingredients with a lower footprint.

Enzymatic degradation of maize shoots: monitoring of chemical and physical changes reveals different saccharification behaviors

BackgroundThe recalcitrance of lignocellulosics to enzymatic saccharification has been related to many factors, including the tissue and molecular heterogeneity of the plant particles. The role of tissue heterogeneity generally assessed from plant sections is not easy to study on a large scale. In the present work, dry fractionation of ground maize shoot was performed to obtain particle fractions enriched in a specific tissue. The degradation profiles of the fractions were compared considering physical changes in addition to chemical conversion.ResultsCoarse, medium and fine fractions were produced using a dry process followed by an electrostatic separation. The physical and chemical characteristics of the fractions varied, suggesting enrichment in tissue from leaves, pith or rind. The fractions were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis in a torus reactor designed for real-time monitoring of the number and size of the particles. Saccharification efficiency was monitored by analyzing the sugar release at different times. The lowest and highest saccharification yields were measured in the coarse and fine fractions, respectively, and these yields paralleled the reduction in the size and number of particles. The behavior of the positively- and negatively-charged particles of medium-size fractions was contrasted. Although the amount of sugar release was similar, the changes in particle size and number differed during enzymatic degradation. The reduction in the number of particles proceeded faster than that of particle size, suggesting that degradable particles were degraded to the point of disappearance with no significant erosion or fragmentation. Considering all fractions, the saccharification yield was positively correlated with the amount of water associated with [5–15 nm] pore size range at 67% moisture content while the reduction in the number of particles was inversely correlated with the amount of lignin.ConclusionReal-time monitoring of sugar release and changes in the number and size of the particles clearly evidenced different degradation patterns for fractions of maize shoot that could be related to tissue heterogeneity in the plant. The biorefinery process could benefit from the addition of a sorting stage to optimise the flow of biomass materials and take better advantage of the heterogeneity of the biomass.

Analyses of milk fat crystallization and milk fat fractions

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the possible extent of changes in the composition and physicochemical properties of unmodified milk fat (UMF) and to evaluate the influence of such modifications on the crystallization of solid fractions (SF) and liquid fractions (LF) obtained from UMF by dry fractionation at a temperature of 30°C, 25°C, and 20°C. The evaluation was based on the results of gas chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), firmness/hardness values measured with a texture analyzer, and optical microscopy analysis. The results of the above analyses, in particular the evaluation of fatty acid (FA) composition, revealed that dry fractionation produces fractions with different composition and different ratios of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). These variations also induced differences in the physicochemical properties of the analyzed samples, mostly changes in melting and solidification curves, as well as differences in the microstructure of milk fat (MF) analyzed under a microscope at a temperature of 10°C. The present findings indicate that FA composition is clearly correlated with firmness/hardness and the microscopically determined crystallization of MF and its fractions.

Characterization of sheep tail fat dry fractionation at the pilot scale

Abstract Two-step dry fractionation was employed to prepare the liquefied sheep tail oil at the pilot scale. Sheep tail oil was separated into fat residuals, crude oil, stearin A, stearin B, olein A, and olein B. The extracted rates for crude oil, olein A, and olein B were 66.7, 45.9, and 35.0%, respectively. The ratios of saturated/unsaturated fats in the crude oil, olein A fractions, and olein B fractions were 0.62, 0.63, and 0.60, respectively. The olein B was liquid at ambient temperature and its melting point was 5.32 °C. The iodine values of stearin samples were significantly decreased compared to the crude oil samples (P &lt; 0.05). For the stearin fractions, the polymorphic form was mainly β’ form, and the solid fat content was significantly higher than the olein fractions (P &lt; 0.05), which can be used to make the shortening product.

Systematic Investigation of Co-Crystallization Properties in Binary and Ternary Mixtures of Triacylglycerols Containing Palmitic and Oleic Acids in Relation with Palm Oil Dry Fractionation.

This work investigates the molecular interactions within the main triacylglycerols constitutive of palm oil, all having a key role in the multi-step dry fractionation process. Identification of these interactions is possible thanks to the establishment of binary and ternary phase diagrams, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) at variable temperature. The following systems were selected: PPP-POP, PPP-OPP, PPP-POO, POP-OPP, POP-POO, OPP-POO, PPP-POP-POO and PPP-OPP-POO (P: palmitic acid and O: oleic acid), and analyzed in direct mode (heating at 5 °C/min., after melting and quenching at −60 °C), and after tempering for three months at 20 °C (tempered mode). DSC makes it possible to bring out crystallization and melting phenomena associated to polymorphic transitions, which are further characterized (crystalline forms) by XRD. The results show that unsaturated are poorly soluble in fully saturated triacylglycerols, that the intersolubility decreases in proportion to the number of unsaturated fatty acids, that positional isomerism (POP/OPP) has a major impact, that OPP may induce formation of molecular compounds and that co-crystallization properties are highly modified by tempering depending on the polymorphic properties of the systems. This provides a better understanding and allows for effective control of the palm oil dry fractionation process.