Oven-dried Material Research Articles

Valorisation of olive pomace from Veneto region: Oven-dried material for food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic application of the OLIVARE project

In this paper the oven drying process was applied on olive pomace to obtain material useful for food and cosmetic applications. Two-phase olive oil mill, WOP (Wet Olive Pomace) and three-phase olive oil mill, SOP (Solid Olive Pomace) obtained in Veneto region were considered. Materials were dried in a thermostatic oven in three different conditions, 50 ° for 48 h, 75 °C for 24 h and 100 °C for 12 h. Dried pomaces were analysed for their content in fibres, sugars, fatty acids, total protein and minerals showing their nutritional value. Furthermore, determination of polyphenols, secoiridoids, triterpene acids, tocopherols were obtained. The dried samples presented 17–21% of lipids, being oleic acid the 50% of total. Protein content ranged from 5–10% while total dietary fiber ranged from 45–66%. Antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays were performed. Dried olive pomaces presented similar activities compared to OL on the ability to inhibit enzymes. WOP exhibited stronger antioxidant abilities than SOP, but still less efficient than OL. Significant inhibitory activities on tyrosinase suggest potential usefulness in cosmetic applications. In conclusion our data shown that the dried olive pomace thanks to their composition and properties can be developed with further studies for feed, food, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications.

Comparison of Some Properties of Selected Non-Wood Plants and Wood Species and Unbleached Kraft Pulps from These Materials

ABSTRACT The different properties of hemp stalks, hemp woody-core, and Miscanthus × giganteus stalks cultivated in Poland and physical properties of unbleached kraft pulps from these materials were compared with the ones of pulps from pine, birch and wheat straw. Research performed showed that in terms of oven-dried material density, bulk density, yield, morphological, structural, and strength properties of pulps, hemp stalks and Miscanthus stalks are more similar to birch and pine than hemp woody-core and wheat straw. Thus, it can be stated that hemp and Miscanthus stalks should be better papermaking fibrous raw materials than hemp woody-core and wheat straw and could be used for the production of a broader range of papers and boards.

Nutrient Leaching Loss of Pre-Treated Struvite and Its Application in Sudan Grass Cultivation as an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Fertilizer Source

Struvite recovered from waste streams is considered as a sustainable alternative to commercial phosphate (P) fertilizers manufactured from P rock. In this study, struvite was recovered from swine wastewater and pre-treated as air-dried material (AM), microwave irradiated material (MM), oven-dried material (OM), and incinerated material (IM) to reduce the moisture content. Based on their solubility and crystalline nature, AM and IM were selected for further experiments. The nutrient leaching loss and fertilizing value of AM and IM were evaluated in comparison to commercial fused superphosphate (FSP) fertilizer. Soil columns were used to quantify ortho-phosphate (O-P) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) leaching in soil from the test materials. Among the test materials, the average leaching rate of O-P for FSP and AM was significantly different from the control and IM (p < 0.05). The average leaching rate of NH4-N among the test materials did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05). Sudan grass growth was examined with standard (urea supplemented) and high (20x, without urea) application of test materials in pot and soil box trials, respectively, to study the fertilizing value AM and IM. There were no significant differences among the test materials, except for the control, in terms of growth rate and fresh and dry matter yield in the pot trials (p > 0.05). When AM, IM, and FSP were applied in increasing amounts (20x) without urea supplement, Sudan grass growth was 50% lower in IM and was found to be significantly different from AM and FSP (p < 0.05). The results suggest that struvite pre-treated as AM could be an effective sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to commercial P fertilizers and thus helps to ensure agricultural sustainability.

Tea waste derived activated carbon for the adsorption of sodium diclofenac from wastewater: adsorbent characteristics, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics.

The present experimental study reports the performance of tea waste (TW) derived adsorbent for the adsorption of sodium diclofenac (SD) from aqueous solution (SD concentration = 10-50mg/L). The waste-derived activated carbon was prepared by chemical activation process of raw waste using H2SO4, KOH, ZnCl2, and K2CO3 as activating agents (TW: activating agent = 1:1 by weight). Subsequently, the oven-dried material was carbonized at 600-°C temperature for 2h. The synthesized adsorbents were porous and their Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area was ranged 115-865m2/g. Among all synthesized adsorbents, the adsorbent activated by ZnCl2 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (=62mg/g), though it was much lower compared to 91mg/g obtained with commercial activated carbon (CAC) (SD concentration = 30mg/L, adsorbent dose = 300mg/L and initial wastewater pH = 6.47). SD equilibrium data could be described by Langmuir isotherm adequately, while pseudo-second-order rate model showed better fit to the time based adsorption data. Low activation energy of the adsorption process suggests the reaction to be temperature independent. Thermodynamic parameters showed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption process conducted in the presence of waste derived adsorbent.

Evaluation of cellulose content in hemp shives after salt catalyzed hydrolysis

In recent years, substantial steps into the transition toward a bio-based economy have been taken. Therefore, biomass, due to its physical and chemical properties, has become one of the key sources to produce bio-based value products. From the current point of view, cellulose is the most common organic biopolymer and is considered as a source of the raw material for environmentally friendly and biocompatible products. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hydrolysis time (30–70 min) and temperature (160–180 ºC) at different amounts of aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate as catalyst (0 %, 5 %and 7 % of the oven-dried material) on the content of cellulose in the hemp shives leftover after furfural production. The results have shown that it is possible to save up to 83 % of initial cellulose in the hemp shives leftover if the produced yield of furfural is similar to the industrial scale production yield, which is 55 % from the theoretically possible one. The highest loss of cellulose in hemp shives was observed after hydrolysis at 180 ºC, 7 % catalyst of the oven-dried mass and 70 min, whereas a smaller loss of cellulose was observed under autohydrolysis conditions. Thus, the study identifies important structural features of the lignocellulosic leftover and relevant hydrolysis parameters related to the commercialization of lignocellulosic biorefineries.

Essential Oil Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities of Various Parts of Litsea cubeba from Taiwan

The essential oils of leaves, fruits, flowers, stems and twigs of Litsea cubeba were extracted by hydrodistillation. A total of 53, 50, 76, 94 and 90 compounds were identified from the leaf, fruit, flower, stem and twig oils, respectively, and their yields were 13.9 ± 0.09, 4.0 ± 0.03, 10.4 ± 0.05, 0.09 ± 0.01 and 0.4 ± 0.02 mL/100 g of the oven-dried (o.d.) materials, respectively. The main component in the leaf, flower and twig oils was 1,8-cineole, whereas in the fruit oil it was citral, and in the stem oil limonene, citronellal, and citronellol. When tested for their antibacterial activities using the paper disc diffusion method, oils from all parts showed excellent activities, particularly the fruit oil. When the oils were infused onto filter paper and tested for their antimicrobial paper capability according to the JIS L 1902 method, the fruit oil exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities. Citral was deemed the main cause of the antimicrobial activity. With the multiplicity of contagious diseases and their prevalence in hospitals, these essential oils present a potentially good choice as antibacterial agents. We think that the essential oils of this species are capable of multipurpose applications.

The improvement of hog fuel by removing fines, using a trommel screen

The study tested the use of a trommel screen originally designed for compost materials to reject oversize particles from hog fuel, processed from several sources and by two different comminution devices. The experiment consisted in screening material previously comminuted by a convertible crusher, designed to use both hammers and knives. Three different feedstock types were used, and namely: discarded pallets, logs and branches from park maintenance. Each feedstock type came in two different qualities, depending on the tool used for comminution, i.e. hammers or knives. Trommel screen productivity varied between 4.2 t h−1, and 5.2 t h−1 of oven dry material. Screening hog fuel derived from pallets was 30% and 40% less productive than screening fuel derived from logs and branches, respectively. Screening cost varied from 16.2 € t−1 dry material in the case of branches, to 19.9 € t−1 oven dry material for pallets. Screening allowed an increase of fuel quality only when applied to pallet-derived hog fuel.

Alkaline Pre-Treatment of Softwood Chips Prior to Delignification

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) chips were pre-treated with alkaline solutions (alkali charges of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8% of NaOH on the oven-dried wood material) at 130°C and 150°C for various treatment times (30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). Under these conditions, 2.0–13.6% of the wood d.s. was dissolved into the aqueous hydrolysates. The soluble organic fraction was primarily characterized in terms of carbohydrates (monosaccharides and oligo-/polysaccharides) and their alkali-catalyzed degradation products: aliphatic carboxylic acids containing, besides non-volatile hydroxy carboxylic acids, volatile formic and acetic acids. With increasing alkali charge, temperature, and time, the enhanced formation of various hydroxy monocarboxylic acids was detected. Under the most drastic pre-treatment conditions, two-thirds of the total organic fraction dissolved was composed of various aliphatic carboxylic acids, the residual material being mainly degraded lignin and extractives. Only relatively small concentrations of carbohydrates and trace amounts of furans were found.

Effects of enzymes on Yucca glauca Nutt. and other steroid-yielding monocotyledons.

Abstract A routine assay procedure for steroidal sapogenins in plant tissue is described in which the endogenous enzymes are allowed to function before the tissue is treated with acid. Inhibition of this enzyme action either by disintegration of the tissue in acid or by autoclaving gave a low yield from the leaf, corm, rhizome, tuber or root of the genera so tested (Agave, Aletris, Asparagus, Smilax, Trillium and Yucca). Oven-dried material, in powder, needed to be incubated with water for one day for the full sapogenin-affording enzyme activity to occur. When autoclaved leaf of Yucca glauca Nutt. was incubated with commercial cellulase it gave about 80% of the yield of sapogenin afforded by the unheated leaf. The yield is also given when emulsin or pectinase is used instead of the endogenous enzymes.

Compositions and in vitro Anticancer activities of the Leaf and Fruit Oils of Litsea cubeba from Taiwan

The leaf and fruit essential oils of Litsea cubeba, extracted by hydrodistillation, were assessed for anticancer activities. A total of 53 and 50 compounds were identified, respectively from the leaf and fruit oils, and their yields were 13.9 +/- 0.09% and 4.0 +/- 0.03%, v/w, of the oven-dried materials, respectively. The main compound in the leaf oil was 1,8-cineol, and in the fruit oil, citral. The fruit oil, but not that of the leaf, exhibited cytotoxic activity against human lung, liver and oral cancer cells.

Sample pre-treatment and the determination of some chemical properties of acid sulfate soil materials

This study provides a systematic analysis of the effect of common acid sulfate soil (ASS) sample pre-treatments (namely freezing, oven drying, and grinding) on chromium-reducible sulfur (SCR) and water-soluble sulfate determinations. The results show that oven drying and hand grinding of the samples prior to analysis resulted in a decrease in SCR (i.e. up to 20% compared to those of frozen samples). This lower SCR value was partly due to the oxidation of sulfides in the oven. For oven-dried ASS materials, more intensive grinding in a ring mill increased SCR values, most likely by abrading coatings from pyrite grains. For oven-dried mineral ASS materials the highest SCR values were obtained with 1 min of ring mill grinding, but for soils with appreciable organic matter (such as peat), 5 min of ring mill grinding gave the highest values. The results indicate that for some ASS materials, oven drying, regardless of the ensuing grinding procedure, results in underestimated SCR values. This study also demonstrates that an artifact of oven drying ASS materials can be greatly increased water-soluble sulfate contents.

Camptothecin accumulation and variations in camptotheca.

Camptotheca (Nyssaceae) is a major source of anticancer camptothecin (CPT). It is imperative to understand CPT accumulation and variations in Camptotheca in order to develop CPT production strategies for endangered germplasm. Our study results showed that CPT is primarily accumulated in glandular trichomes of leaves and stems, and CPT content varies among species and varieties but even more significantly within the plant (with different tissues, tissue ages, and seasons). Because of higher CPT yield and desirable biological and ecological features, 'Hicksii' and 'Katie' should be considered the major management germplasm as CPT sources in the future. Young leaves and mature fruits have higher CPT contents than other tissues in the plants. Young photosynthetic leaves and stems contain higher CPT contents than old ones, but 'sink' tissues such as wood, roots, and fruits show different patterns. CPT content also shows a great seasonal change, but is less influenced by tree age. Intact clipping of young leaves and stems should be managed for harvest for CPT production. Preservation and treatment methods influence the CPT extraction. CPT is better preserved in fresh or freeze-dried material than in air or oven-dried material. CPT can be more efficiently extracted after homogenizer treatment of plant materials because more trichome walls can be broken to allow solvent extraction.

SOME CONTROLS ON THE RELEASE OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON BY PLANT TISSUES AND SOILS

Soil and plant tissues were used to examine the effect on the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of rinsing over time at two temperatures and under oxic and anoxic conditions in a laboratory incubation. The release of DOC over 60 days of incubation ranged from 0.5 to 189 mg DOC g−1 oven-dry material and was correlated inversely with the degree of decomposition of the material: fresh maple leaves > old maple leaves > Sphagnum moss > fibric peat > hemic peat = sapric peat > Inceptisol A horizon. Rates of DOC release were similar through the duration of the experiment, except for the fresh maple leaves, where release rates fell after 3 day. Rinsing, by the replacement of water in the incubating samples after 20 day, produced slower rates of DOC release, except in the Inceptisol A and sapric peat samples. There was no significant difference between DOC release under oxic and anoxic conditions, except for the Inceptisol A soil, where DOC release was greater under anoxic than under oxic conditions. The rate of DOC release at 22 °C was an average of 2.4 times greater than at 4 °C, translating into Q10 values of about 1.6. At 22 °C under oxic conditions, DOC production accounted for 14 to 58% (average 24%) of the total C released as DOC + CO2, with the highest proportion in the maple leaves. Under anoxic conditions, DOC production accounted for 63 to 95% (average 82%) of the total C released as DOC + CO2 + CH4. Production of CH4 under anoxic conditions was minor, accounting for <1% of the total C released. Under oxic conditions at 22 °C, the incubations released between 2 and 107% of the organic C contained in the samples, the largest proportion of which was released from the plant tissues. Microbial utilization of DOC meant that some C was double-counted, both as DOC and as subsequently emitted CO2. Under anoxic conditions, 0.0 to 49% of the sample organic C was mineralized. The release of DOC represents the balance between production, adsorption, and desorption and microbial utilization. This release differs clearly among samples and among treatment effects.

Desorption of trichloroethylene in aquifer material: rate limitation at the grain scale

Soil-gas venting for the removal of sorbed trichloroethylene (TCE) was studied in columns packed with either wet or oven-dry Santa Clara aquifer material. After the wet columns were vented up to 1 h, the removal rate was independent of the flow rate and limited by slow intraparticle mass transfer. In contrast, removal of TCE from columns filled with oven-dry material was proportional to the flow rate after 20 days of venting. This suggests that intraparticle pore water limits mass transfer from the internal sorption sites. Desorption was modeled using an intraparticle diffusion model assuming homogeneous porous spheres. The model was calibrated in batch sorption studies using the apparent diffusion rate constant as a fitting parameter

The effect of method of preservation of forages on their resistance to reduction in particle size with an artificial masticator

Leaf blades of two grasses (setaria and ryegrass) and the leaf blade and petiole of two legumes (glycine and white clover) were collected and divided into four subsamples which were allocated to four treatments: fresh, refrigerated (4°C), frozen (−15°C) and oven-dried material (70°C for 16 h). Four samples of each of the fresh and treated forage subsamples were placed in a Troelsen masticator for 10 min and the resultant particle size distribution was determined by wet sieving. Large particles (LP) were defined as all particles retained on a sieve of 1.18-mm pore size. Preservation treatment and forage interacted so that LP in ryegrass leaf and clover petiole showed significant increases in breakdown when frozen or oven dried, but LP in frozen samples of setaria leaf, glycine leaf and petiole, and refrigerated glycine leaf showed significant decreases in breakdown. It was concluded that refrigeration (4°C) was the best method of storage and that freezing or oven drying may cause significant changes in LP breakdown during artificial mastication.

Economic evaluation of enzymatic hydrolysis of phenol‐pretreated wheat straw

Experimental data from the enzymatic hydrolysis of phenol-pretreated Swedish wheat straw have been used to evaluate the cost fractions of capital and utility, enzyme, and raw material. Two different raw material prices and varying enzyme prices have been used. The evaluation is based on an empirical model for the enzymatic hydrolysis and a computer program where utility and equipment, enzyme, and raw material prices can be varied. The optimal residence time for the enzymatic hydrolysis is in the range of 70-110 h. A fed-batch procedure with substrate concentrations higher than 10% oven-dried material (ODM) and enzyme concentrations in the range (6-10) x 10(6) FPU/ton ODM should be used.

Dry matter and nutrient loss from decomposing Vallisneria spiralis L.

Dry matter and nutrient loss from Vallisneria spiralis leaves submerged in leaf packs were measured in a shallow wetland in inland southeastern Australia. Rates of dry matter loss in the first 24 h were rapid (27 and 30% for oven-dried material; 34% for fresh material), and the number of days for > 95% loss was comparatively low compared with other submerged macrophytes. Percentages of sodium and potassium in oven-dried material were lower after 24 h, while the other nutrients did not alter.

Primary liver cancer and oesophageal basal cell hyperplasia in rats caused by Fusarium moniliforme.

Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon is one of the most prevalent fungi associated with maize throughout the world. A correlation has been found between the incidence of F. moniliforme in home-grown maize and the human oesophageal cancer rate in Transkei, southern Africa. Culture material on maize of F. moniliforme strain MRC 826, isolated from maize in a high-risk area for oesophageal cancer in Transkei, was either freeze-dried or oven-dried and fed to groups of 20 inbred male BD IX rats on a life-long basis. At a dietary level of 8%, both types of culture material were hepatotoxic and caused 100% mortality. Hepatic lesions in rats that died were characterized by cirrhosis, nodular hyperplasia and bile-duct proliferation. At a dietary level of 4% for 286 days followed by 2% for the remainder of the experiment, both types of culture material were hepatocarcinogenic and caused hepatocellular carcinoma in 80% and ductular carcinoma of the liver in 63% of the rats surviving more than 450 days. Only one of 30 such rats did not have a primary hepatic carcinoma. No hepatocellular or ductular carcinomas occurred in the controls. Hepatocellular carcinomas in the experimental rats invariably developed in severely cirrhotic livers showing nodular hyperplasia. Adenofibrosis also developed concurrently with hepatocellular carcinoma. A higher incidence of basal cell hyperplasia occurred in the oesophageal epithelia of rats fed freeze-dried than in those fed oven-dried material. The chemical nature of the hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin(s) produced by F. moniliforme is unknown.

Conversion of Solar Energy into Digestible Energy: A Basis for Evaluating Range Forages?

Conversion of Solar Energy into Digestible Energy: A Basis for Evaluating Range Forages?

The mineral composition of the Robusta banana plant II. The concentration of mineral constituents

The concentrations (per cent oven-dry material) of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the different organs of the Robusta banana plant, at various stages in the growth cycle are presented. The plants were sampled at sites with differing soil properties and where fertilizer practices varied. The pattern of nutrient concentrations was similar at all sites. The effect of the variability within sites of organ concentration on the choice of a diagnostic tissue is discussed. The changes of nutrient concentrations in the organs which take place during the life cycle are described in relation to physiological function.