Luffa Cylindrica Fibers Research Articles

Functionalization of loofah fibers via surface-initiated AGET ATRP for synergic adsorption of multiple pollutants from water

Poly(N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide) was grafted from loofah fibers by surface-initiated activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) for synergic adsorption of Cd2+ and acid blue 25 (AB25). The adsorption behaviors towards Cd2+ and AB25 in respective single and binary systems were investigated by batch technique. The adsorption capacity of AB25 decreased when the solution pH increased from 1 to 6, but the adsorption capacity of Cd2+ increased with the pH value. In the binary mixture of Cd2+ and AB25, the presence of AB25 significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity of Cd2+, while the adsorption amount of AB25 was not affected by the presence of Cd2+. The functionalized loofah fibers exhibited good reusability and was qualified for practical application.

Enzymatic saccharification and liquid state fermentation of hydrothermal pretreated Tunisian Luffa cylindrica (L.) fibers for cellulosic bioethanol production

The main drivers to develop biorefineries are the energetic and environmental crisis. Consequently, bioenergies have become a scientific and industrial trend. In North Africa, especially in Tunisia, Luffa cylindrica (LC) is a promising energy crop providing lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels production. Three principal fractions compose LC biomass, viz.: α-cellulose (45.8 ± 1.3)%, hemicellulose (20.76 ± 0.3)% and lignins (13.15 ± 0.6)%. The hydrothermal pretreatment of LC fibers was carried out at 96 °C for 54 min. After pretreatment, the reducing sugars amount reached 33.55 g/kg. The subsequent enzymatic saccharification was performed during 1 h at a temperature of 60 °C, by means of two commercial enzymes AP2 and SPC. The enzyme AP2 seemed to be more suitable for the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated LC fibers by allowing the release of 59.4 g/kg of reducing sugars, which correspond to a reducing sugars recovery about 93.29%. After that, the liquid state fermentation (LSF) was achieved with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain during 24 h, in sterile and non-sterile conditions at 30 °C, pH 4.8 ± 0.2 and stirring 250 rpm, in order to conclude about the influence of contamination microflora on fermentation efficiency. After the LSF step, 88.66% of reducing sugars were transformed into alcohol with a conversion rate of 1.58% and a volumetric yield about 70% in sterile conditions. Thus, this work confirms that the potential conversion yield of cellulosic bioethanol is 1 Ton (dry matter) of LC fibers to 13.8545 kg (= 3.6599 Gallon) of biofuel.

Production of fumaric acid by immobilized Rhizopus arrhizus RH 7-13-9# on loofah fiber in a stirred-tank reactor

Fumaric acid is an important building-block chemical. The production of fumaric acid by fermentation is possible. Loofah fiber is a natural, biodegradable, renewable polymer material with highly sophisticated and pore structure. This work investigated a new immobilization method using loofah fiber as carrier to produce fumaric acid in a stirred-tank reactor. Compared with other carriers, loofah fiber was proven to be efficiently and successfully used in the reactor. After the optimization process, 20g addition of loofah fiber and 400rpm agitation speed were chosen as the most suitable process conditions. 30.3g/L fumaric acid in the broth as well as 19.16g fumaric acid in the precipitation of solid was achieved, while the yield from glucose reached 0.211g/g. Three batches of fermentation using the same loofah fiber carrier were conducted successfully, which meant it provided a new method to produce fumaric acid in a stirred-tank reactor.

Non linear modelisation of dyes removal from aqueous solution by using sorption onto Luffa cylindrica fibers

The biosorption of indigo carmine (IC) and methylene blue (MB) using a lingo-cellulosic fiber: Luffa cylindrical was carried out in this study. It was shown in this work, that biosorption capacity of dyes increase with increase of initial dyes concentrations and mass of biomass and to decrease with the raise of salt and temperature. Optimal parameters of the biosorption of dyes onto Luffa cylindrica were obtained after 150 min and pH 10 for MB and 525 min and pH 2 for IC. The experimental equilibrium data were studied employing the isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich, Jovanovic, Temkin, Redlich–Peterson, Toth, Sips, and Brouers–Sotolongo. The experimental data fitted very well with the Bouers-Sotolongo isotherm for MB and the Toth isotherm for IC. Concerning IC, the value of maximum biosorption capacity (Q m = 6.876 mg/g) was close to the experimental value (Q m = 6.874 mg/g), and the correlation coefficient (R 2 ) was 0.996. While for MB, the value of maximum biosorption capacity (Q m = 13.849 mg/g) was close to the experimental value (Q m = 13.900 mg/g), and the correlation coefficient (R 2 ) was 0.992. In order to study the biosorption kinetics, four kinetics models such as pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich and Brouers-Sotolongo were studied. The Brouers-Sotolongo (2,α) fractal model appears to be the best model to fit the experimental data.

Loofah and coconut fiber substrates interaction with growth promoting bacteria onCattleya harrisonianaandCattleya granulosa

Loofah and coconut fiber substrates interaction with growth promoting bacteria on<i>Cattleya harrisoniana</i>and<i>Cattleya granulosa</i>

Bio-activation of Inert pHEMA Matrices with Phosphate Loaded Cellulose Fibers in Order to Induce Mineralization

Luffa cylindrica fibers were purified through alkaline treatment and loaded with phosphate as mineral precursor. Their capacity of acting as bioactivator for an inert polymer was evaluated. In this respect, the PO43- - Luffa fibers were loaded in a polymeric matrix known not to promote biomineralization through immersion in mineralization media. The synthesized materials were subjected to alternative Ca/P baths and the formation of mineral was investigated through SEM. Also, the mechanical properties and the water affinity of the un-mineralized and mineralized materials were investigated.

Production of a halotolerant biofilm from green coffee beans immobilized on loofah fiber (Luffa cylindrica) and its effect on phenanthrene degradation in seawater

ABSTRACTA biofilm developed from low quality green coffee beans was tested for its capacity to degrade the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), phenanthrene (Phe), in seawater. Microorganisms were immobilized on two types of Luffa cylindrica (with three and four placental cavities), and the effects of moisture content (20, 30 and 40% of water holding capacity) and particle size (<0.42 mm, 0.42–0.86 mm and 0.86–2.0 mm) of green coffee beans on microbial activity were considered. Biofilm growth determined by respirometry showed a highest microbial activity at a moisture content of 40% and particle size of 0.42–0.86 mm. The loofah fiber with three placental cavities showed the highest adherence of microorganisms. The kinetics of microbial growth in both seawater and distilled water and the scanning electron microscopies indicated that the microorganisms associated with green coffee beans are halotolerant. In fact, I-GCB-SW-G biofilm degraded 67.56% of Phe (50 mg L−1) in seawater, at a significantly higher rate than in distilled water (I-GCB-DW-W).

Fabrication of sponge biomass adsorbent through UV-induced surface-initiated polymerization for the adsorption of Ce(III) from wastewater.

The recovery of rare earth ions from industrial wastewater has aroused wide concern in recent years. In present work, we synthesized a novel three-dimensional adsorbent (denoted as LF-AA) by grafting loofah fiber with acrylic acid via ultraviolet radiation. The LF-AA was washed by boiling water and subjected to soxhlet extraction with acetone and then fully characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rare earth ion (Ce(III)) was selected as a model to validate its adsorption property. The saturation adsorption capacity for Ce(III) reaches 527.5 mg/g. Not only was this material highly efficient at adsorbing Ce(III) from aqueous solutions, it also proved to have ideal performance in regeneration; the total adsorption capacity of LF-AA for Ce(III) after six successive cycles decreased only 6.40% compared with the initial capacity of LF-AA. More importantly, the LF-AA can be easily separated from aqueous solutions because of its three-dimensional sponge natural structure. This study provides a new insight into the fabrication of biomass adsorbent and demonstrated that the LF-AA can be used as excellent adsorbent for the recovery of rare earth ions from wastewater.

Optimization of Hydrothermal and Diluted Acid Pretreatments of Tunisian Luffa cylindrica (L.) Fibers for 2G Bioethanol Production through the Cubic Central Composite Experimental Design CCD: Response Surface Methodology.

This paper opens up a new issue dealing with Luffa cylindrica (LC) lignocellulosic biomass recovery in order to produce 2G bioethanol. LC fibers are composed of three principal fractions, namely, α-cellulose (45.80% ± 1.3), hemicelluloses (20.76% ± 0.3), and lignins (13.15% ± 0.6). The optimization of LC fibers hydrothermal and diluted acid pretreatments duration and temperature were achieved through the cubic central composite experimental design CCD. The pretreatments optimization was monitored via the determination of reducing sugars. Then, the 2G bioethanol process feasibility was tested by means of three successive steps, namely, LC fibers hydrothermal pretreatment performed at 96°C during 54 minutes, enzymatic saccharification carried out by means of a commercial enzyme AP2, and the alcoholic fermentation fulfilled with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. LC fibers hydrothermal pretreatment liberated 33.55 g/kg of reducing sugars. Enzymatic hydrolysis allowed achieving 59.4 g/kg of reducing sugars. The conversion yield of reducing sugar to ethanol was 88.66%. After the distillation step, concentration of ethanol was 1.58% with a volumetric yield about 70%.

Microwave induced graft copolymerization of binary monomers onto luffa cylindrica fiber: removal of congo red

In this work, graft copolymerization of delignified Luffa cylindrica fiber with methyl acrylate (MA) and acrylic acid has been attempted in presence of microwave radiation. Different reaction conditions affecting the grafting percentage (Pg) were optimized to get the maximum graft yield. The grafted fibres were subsequently subjected for the evaluation of physico-chemical properties such as swelling behaviour, moisture absorbance and chemical resistance. Further, morphological and structural analysis of raw and delignified Luffa cylindrica-g-poly(MA/AA) were studied using Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).The tensile properties of grafted and ungrafted fibre samples were also reported. The adsorption potential of modified fiber was investigated using adsorption isotherms for hazardous congo red dye removal from aqueous system. The maximum adsorption capacity of dye onto grafted Luffa cylindrica fiber was found to be 19.24 mg/g with best fit for Langmuir isotherm.

A new technique for promoting cyclic utilization of cyclodextrins in biotransformation.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) can improve the productivity of steroid biotransformation by enhancing substrate solubility. CDs can be recycled by grafting them with appropriate carriers. Loofah fiber is an excellent grafting material for CDs, and can be applied to the biotransformation and recycling of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). In this work, a technique for recycling β-CD in cortisone acetate (CA) biotransformation by Arthrobacter simplex CPCC 140451 was studied. Loofah fiber-grafted β-CD (LF-β-CD) was prepared using epichlorohydrin, which is a cross-linking agent. The grafting yield of β-CD was 74.8mgg-1 dried fibers. LF-β-CD could increase the solubility of CA and enhance biotransformation. The initial conversion rate of CA was 1.5-fold higher than that of the blank group. LF-β-CD was also used in biocatalytic reactions for eight cycles, and it maintained the conversion ratio of CA at approximately 90%. Given the above positive results, LF-β-CD can be utilized in biotechnological recycling applications. This method can also be applied to CD derivatives and hydrophobic compounds.

Development of Printability of Bio-Composite Materials Using Luffa cylindrica Fiber

This study examined the surface adhesion of ink on bio-composite materials that were produced using Luffa cylindrica fiber and epoxy. To increase the ink adhesion on the surface, two different production methods were developed. The surface roughness and the surface contact angle of the bio-composite surfaces manufactured by each method were determined. The printing was applied on the surface of the bio-composite materials using a screen-printing procedure. While keeping the printing conditions constant, two different ink types, environmentally friendly water-based ink and solvent-based ink, were utilized. As a result of this study, the two types of ink were adhered on the polymer-coated surface, and there was no adhesion on the uncoated surfaces. In addition, the printability of the solvent-based ink was better than the water-based one, and the image of the transfer had higher quality. When the water or solvent-based inks were applied on the surface, the groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds, which were present in both kinds of ink, constituted hydrogen bonds with the C=O and N-H groups. This resulted in better adhesion on the surface, which was due to the presence of the separator.

PET-Cell Fibers: Synthetic with Natural Effects, Surface Modification of PET Fibers with Luffa Nanowhiskers

Nowadays, an increasing demand emerges for biodegradable materials and products made from renewable resources. The cellulose in the form of cellulosic fibers or nano fibers can play a crucially important role in the enhancement of the performance of an absorbent product and provide water holding capacity. In the present study, a new hydrogel was synthesized based on luffa nanowhiskers prepared by luffa cylindrica fibers as a natural source of cellulose in order to surface modification of polyester fabric. Cellulose nanowhiskers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirm the integrity of cellulose nanocrystals after chemical modification and their rod-like morphology with nanometric dimensions. In order to surface modification of knitted polyester fabric, different amounts of nano-hydrogel were deposited on the alkali-modified and unmodified polyester fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR results confirm the presence of cellulose based hydrogel on the fabrics. Water retention capacity (WRC), water uptake ability and self-cleaning properties of treated fabrics were evaluated and the results show that the improvement of WRC and relative self-cleaning property of samples. In order to obtain an antibacterial fabric, the neem extract as a natural antibacterial agent was loaded into nano-hydrogel. The results of loading and release behavior of neem extract, represent the controlled drug-delivery properties of the treated fabrics and significant antibacterial properties against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Production of A Halotolerant Biofilm from Green Coffee Beans Immobilized on Loofah Fiber (Luffa cylindrica) and Its Effect on Phenanthrene Degradation in Seawater

Production of A Halotolerant Biofilm from Green Coffee Beans Immobilized on Loofah Fiber (Luffa cylindrica) and Its Effect on Phenanthrene Degradation in Seawater

Activated carbon from Luffa cylindrica doped chitosan for mitigation of lead(ii) from an aqueous solution

The present study is concerned with the batch adsorption of toxic lead(ii) ions from an aqueous solution using activated carbon from a Luffa cylindrica fibers doped chitosan (ACLFCS) biocomposite as an adsorbent.

The Thermal and Crystallization Studies of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Luffa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Fiber Reinforced Poly Lactic Acid Composites

Poly lactic acid (PLA)—chemically treated fiber of Luffa cylindrica (LC) composites were fabricated by micro-compounding followed by injection molding method. Before reinforcement, LC fibers were exposed to chemical treatment like alkali treatment, bleaching and acid hydrolysis. The chemically treated LC fibers were then modified with Ca salts to explore their uses in bio medical industries. Thermal stability of chemically extracted cellulose fibers of LC and PLA composites reinforced with 2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt% LC fibers were studied by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) in the temperature range from 30℃ to 700℃. Better interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix was evidenced by increased thermal stability of composites due to incorporation of fiber. Crystallization and melting behavior of PLA composites were studied in the temperature range from 30℃ to 170℃ at heating rate of 10°/minute. The crystallization temperature and crystallization enthalpy increased up to 2 wt% of LC fiber content and gradually decreased with further increase of fiber content in the composites. Double melting peaks were observed for all composite samples and possible explanations were suggested on the basis of different crystalline structure of PLA and melt crystallization phenomena.

Characteristic Investigations on Loofah, Jute and Glass Fiber Reinforced Sandwich Polymeric Composites

In this study, new biodegradable composites were developed with loofah, jute and commercial E-glass as reinforcing fibers and poly ester as the resin. Loofah fibers are preheated with distilled water and alkali followed by heat treatment in order to enhance its surface properties. Four composite materials are prepared by varying the proportions of natural and glass fibers in each and maintaining the resin content as a constant. The specimens were subjected to testing of mechanical properties namely tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength and impact strength. The results revealed that the mechanical properties like tensile, flexural and impact strengths were high when proportions of all fibers are equal. Also, compressive strength was higher with sample containing only loofah fibers.

Biosorption of alpacide blue from aqueous solution by lignocellulosic biomass: Luffa cylindrica fibers.

The aim of the present work is to develop an effective and inexpensive pollutant-removal technology using lignocellulosic fibers: Luffa cylindrica, for the biosorption of an anionic dye: alpacide blue. The influence of some experimental parameters such as pH, temperature, initial concentration of the polluted solution, and mass of the sorbent L. cylindrica on the biosorption of alpacide blue by L. cylindrica fibers has been investigated. Optimal parameters for maximum quantity of biosorption dye were achieved after 2h of treatment in a batch system using an initial dye concentration of 20mg/L, a mass of 1g of L. cylindrica fibers, and pH 2. In these conditions, the quantity of dye retained is 2mg/g and the retention rate is 78%. Finally, a mathematical modeling of kinetics and isotherms has been used for mathematical modeling; the model of pseudo-second order is more appropriate to describe this phenomenon of biosorption. Concerning biosorption isotherms, the Freundlich model is the most appropriate for a biosorption of alpacide blue dye by L. cylindrica fibers.

Simple preparation and enhanced adsorption properties of loofah fiber adsorbent by ultraviolet radiation graft

Acrylic acid grafted natural loofah fiber (denoted as AGL) was prepared by an ultraviolet radiation graft. The grafting yield of AGL was of 516.3wt% under phenomenon benzophenone (BP, photo-initiator) of 0.1wt%, acrylic acid (AA) concentrations of 10wt%, time of 6h and ultraviolet power of 7W at room temperature (298.15K). The enhanced adsorption of AGL proved highly effective in absorbing Cu(II), Ni(II), and Ce(III), where the absorbed amount reached 309.15mg/g, 331.46mg/g, and 358.79mg/g, respectively. The recycling experiment showed that AGL has good reuse performance. These findings suggest that AGL has a considerable potential for the application of metal ions removed from waste water.

Manufacturing and mechanical response optimization of epoxy resin/Luffa Cylindrica composite

ABSTRACTThe present investigation pertains to the existent possibilities of the fibrous natural material Luffa Cylindrica (LC) as reinforcement to thermoset resins. The main purpose was the manufacturing of an engineering material that would, simultaneously, lead to a more sustainable world. In an effort to optimize the final mechanical properties, semi‐ green Epoxy Resin/Luffa Cylindrica (ER/LC) composites were manufactured, applying a number of different manufacturing parameters combinations. The manufacturing parameters taken into account were: (a) fiber chemical treatments; (b) the external applied pressure during curing; (c) number of plies; (d) stacking sequence effect; (e) LC's structural characteristics; and (f) the influence of fiber weight fraction on composite's behavior. The elastic flexural response of the composite polymer was found improved with respect to neat polymer's response due to fibers' nature and the applied manufacturing optimization process. This improvement was reflected to material's stiffness which optimally increased by 48% for a mechanically applied pressure of 4.6 kPa during curing. Additionally, LC fibers chemically treated with Acetone/ CH3COOH 1 wt % led to stiffness' improvement up to 30%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41992.