Vegetable Fibres Research Articles

Short sugarcane bagasse fibers cementitious composites for building construction

This paper presents an experimental assessment on sugarcane bagasse short fibers reinforced composites, conglomerated by Ordinary Portland Cement and Plaster and containing fine ash from rice husk combustion, for rural autonomous construction. The vegetable bagasse fibers were supplied directly from landfills of small rural sugar industries, smoked on site, washed in laboratory, treated in supersaturated calcium hydroxide at room temperature and dried before mixing. Physical and mechanical properties of components and composites were obtained. Accelerated aging of composites in CO2 rich atmosphere was done in laboratory, assessing the new properties of specimens after this aerial carbonation, in relation with the ordinary ones. Increasing of specific gravity, modulus of rupture, compressive strength, Young's Modulus, decreasing of porosity, water absorption and toughness of the aged composites was obtained. Their ability for building construction as sustainable and eco-efficient construction materials is analyzed.

Characterization of biomass-based materials for building applications: The case of straw and olive tree waste

Vegetable fibers are more and more frequently used in building materials because of their low carbon footprint and their suitability as hygrothermal panels and acoustic absorbers. In particular, as vegetable materials have high carbon sequestration capacity, any use that prevents their incineration (e.g. the natural end-of-life for most pruning wastes), represents an essential contribution to reduction of CO2 emissions. For the above reasons, several researches promote the revival of sustainable building materials made of biomass. In this study, the hygrothermal and acoustical properties of materials suitable for buildings, made with vegetable fibers, are investigated. Straw fibers and olive tree-pruning residues were mixed with sodium silicate solution binders to create high performance insulating panels. Tests carried out in the laboratory allow a correlation between physical and microstructural properties. They evaluated thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, as well as the hygric performances of the materials, such as sorption isotherm and water vapor permeability. Moisture diffusivity and moisture buffer value were also estimated. Furthermore, sound absorption measurements were carried out. A final comparison between the new panels and one insulating material (EPS) on the market was discussed based on a numerical simulation using Wufi® software.

КОНСЕРВАТИВНОЕ ЛЕЧЕНИЕ БОЛЬНЫХ ССТЕНОЗОМ ПОЗВОНОЧНОГО КАНАЛА ШЕЙНОЙ ЛОКАЛИЗАЦИИ

110 patients with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine were examined. The clinical picture differs with polymorphism of combinations of reflex, radicular and spinal syndromes, reflecting multiple and multilevel involvement of various structures of the spinal canal -roots, vessels, vegetative fibers and spinal cord. Our conservative treatment of spinal stenosis has a positive clinical effect, which makes it possible to recommend it to a wider application in outpatient and inpatient practice

Effect of a hybrid process, high hydrostatic pressure treatment combined with mixed‐strain fermentation, on the quality of the dietary fibre in pickled vegetables

SummaryA new hybrid processing technology, mixed‐strain (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici; mixed‐LAB) fermentation combined with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment, was used to modify the dietary fibre (DF) in Sichuan pickled vegetables. This process significantly improved the swelling and water holding capacities of the DF, while the oil holding capacities first increased and then decreased sharply with elevated pressure. Physio‐functional properties of DF, including heavy metal adsorption, cholate adsorption and α‐amylase inhibitory activity, were also enhanced, and antioxidant activity assays revealed an increase in the free radical scavenging ability and the ferric reducing adsorption capacity. The DF structure analysis showed that the hybrid process increased the contents of soluble dietary fibre and monosaccharides of the DF. Moreover, the microstructure is loosened and the surface pore size is expanded. These results indicate that combining mixed‐LAB fermentation with HHP treatment is a potential tool that would enable the production of a better quality of DF.

Abrasive Jet Machining Performance of Vegetable Fiber Polyester Composite and its Modelling

In this research, exploration of Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) on polyester based Curaua/basalt hybrid composite was carried out. The composites were fabricated through resin transfer molding (RTM) at a ratio of 60-40 weight percentage of matrix and fiber respectively. Experimental runs were carried out based on L27 orthogonal array considering three parameters and three levels. Further, the effect of input parameter viz., water pressure, standoff distance and feed rate on the output responses viz., kerf angle (Ta) and surface roughness (Ra) were studied. From the investigation, it is observed that stand off distance contributes a maximum in determining the results of surface roughness and kerf angle

КОНСЕРВАТИВНОЕ ЛЕЧЕНИЕ БОЛЬНЫХ С СТЕНОЗОМ ПОЗВОНОЧНОГО КАНАЛА ШЕЙНОЙ ЛОКАЛИЗАЦИИ

110 patients with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine were examined. The clinical picturediffers with polymorphism of combinations of reflex, radicular and spinal syndromes, reflecting multiple and multilevel involvement of various structures of the spinal canal -roots, vessels,vegetative fibers and spinal cord. Our conservative treatment of spinal stenosis has a positive clinical effect, which makes it possible to recommend it to a wider application in outpatient and inpatient practice

MECHANICAL BEHAVIORS OF BANANA AND SISAL HYBRID COMPOSITES REINFORCED USING OF VARIOUS PARAMETER

To develop and commercialize materials containing vegetal fibers has grown in order to reduce environmental impact. Large amounts of lignocellulosic materials are generated around the world from several human activities and some process. Development of the Polymer Composites with natural fibers and fillers such as a sustainable alternative material for some applications, particularly in aerospace applications and automobile applications are being investigated. Natural fiber composites such as sisal, jute, hemp and coir polymer composites appear more attractive due to their higher specific strength, lightweight and biodegradability and low cost.

A unique case of traumatic pulmonary food embolism

We report a unique case of post-traumatic pulmonary food embolism, due to a lethal blunt force trauma occurred in a traffic accident.The subject was a 37-year old man, victim of a road traffic accident while he was riding his motorbike. A forensic autopsy, followed by histological examination, was ordered in order to find out the cause of death and to assess the compatibility of the lesions with the dinamic of the accident.Autopsy revealed a blunt force thoraco-abdominal trauma responsible of the death. The most interesting histological evidences concerned lungs. Here, inside arterious and arteriolar pulmonary vessels, we identified crystal-like corpuscles, of various shape and size, sometimes aggregated in small masses and thin vegetal fibers, refracting at polarized light, both PAS-positive and meat fibers shadows.The presence of alimentary material in the pulmonary vessels was explained by a pulmonary food embolism. The occurring of this kind of embolism implies a communication between the viscera lumen and the venous circulation of his wall (through a small wall rupture) in presence of cardiocirculatory activity, and provides, therefore, a strong proof of vitality.

Mechanical behaviour of cementitious composites reinforced with bagasse and hemp fibers

Vegetable fibers are increasingly used in composites because of their good mechanical properties and low carbon footprint; composites made with vegetable fibers are considered greener and have mechanical and thermal applications. The effect of hemp and sugarcane bagasse fibers in the flexural behavior of cementitious matrix composites was studied. The overall behavior of the composite was studied through the contribution of its components. Tensile properties of the fibers were tested to determinate their potential as reinforcement material. Pull-out tests were carried out to assess the fiber-matrix interaction. In the pull-out assays, more than a third of the bagasse fibers were broken with very small displacements, while all the hemp fibers were completely pulled out. The flexural behavior of the composite was evaluated by three-point flexure test on notched beams. Bagasse fiber increased flexural strength while hemp fibers increased the composite toughness. The fibers pull-out tests resulted useful to predict the composite flexural behavior.

Polyester/paper composites: study of manufacturing techniques for product development

Composite materials using vegetal fibers and industrial waste are being applied in different areas and structures, requiring, more and more, researches that highlight their characteristics. In this context, the study of manufacturing techniques becomes increasingly necessary in order to use the appropriate tools and obtain the best conditions of the materials. Thus, this article demonstrates the behavior of the materials, which used the polyester resin with ground paper residue to generate the two composites studied in this paper, Polyester/smaller paper (PO/ PME) and Polyester/large paper (PO/PMA). These two materials were molded by hot compression and subjected to manufacturing processes. Joinery equipment were chosen for the experimentation of cutting, drilling, screw insertion and sanding to analyze the performance of these composite materials. As a general result, it can be observed that the composites maintained their physical integrity, because the particles of the load remained well anchored in the matrix in the two composite materials tested, giving the finish an aspect without damages, cracks or imperfections after the operations. Therefore, it is concluded that the materials created can be submitted to the manufacturing techniques evaluated in this article, reinforcing previous studies that suggest its use in the development of products such as furniture, table tops, decorative objects and others. Thus, this study contributes to Designer has knowledge of the potential of the material and make the best use of it. Keywords: Composite, manufacturing techniques, cutting, finish.

Enhancement of the Photodegradative Potential of Polymer Composites Containing Babassu Fiber

Abstract Vegetable fibers are widely used as reinforcement in the production of composites. In this work, the photodegradative potential of polymer composites containing babassu fiber was characterized and evaluated. The fibers were extracted manually and immersed in a 10% NaOH solution (Mercerization). After drying, they were crushed and incorporated into the low-density polyethylene matrix in proportions of 5%, 10%, and 20% of the total mass of the composite. The composites were subjected to Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis (showed the incorporation of fibers into the polymeric matrix), Infrared Spectroscopy (the presence of fiber was observed with peaks at 3200-3600 cm-1, and 1596 cm-1-1036 cm-1), Mechanical Tests (with 20% fiber, there is a 44% decrease in tension, 48% in strain and 12% in Young's modulus) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (inicial fiber degradation starts between 220-337 °C, and matrix degradation between 333-550 °C). The composites were subjected to degradation processes by solar radiation and under artificial UV-B. Samples of oxy-biodegradable plastic bags were also degraded under the same degradation conditions of the composites. These results show that the materials used in the research, besides presenting an excellent degree of compatibilization, also reveal an improvement in the photodegradation potential of composites.

LEMNA MINOR L. AS A SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Lemna Minor L. (LM) is a perennial aquatic plant that belongs to the genus Lemna, the family Lemnaceae and is spread almost ubiquitously. In folk medicine, it is used in the treatment of allergies, asthma, vitiligo, jaundice, glaucoma, rheumatism, gout, and others. In recent years it has become clear that its chemical composition consists of: proteins (up to 35%), vegetable fibers (up to 17%), fats (up to 5%), polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids, aliphatic acids, phenolic acids, triterpene compounds, vitamins, micro- and macro-elements and other substances. А significant part of these substances exhibit the antioxidant activity. The scientific information for 12 biologically active substances with antioxidant activity isolated from Lemna Minor is presented in the review.

A method for construction of an energy-efficient ice floating pier in the Arctic using hardened ice

This paper presents studies on increasing the ice strength using various additives. It is indicated that addition of wood fiber (artificial composition) and vegetable fiber (natural composition - frozen peat) to ice is an energy-efficient method to increase its strength. This enhances the possibilities of using ice during building and construction works in the Arctic. As an example, the authors proposed a floating ice pier design.

Experimental evaluation on comparative mechanical properties of Jute - Flax fibre Reinforced composite structures

In the modern era, the world is facing unprecedented challenges in form of environmental pollution and international agencies are forcing scientists and materialists to look for green materials and structures to counter this problem. Composites based on renewable sources like plant based fibres, vegetable fibres are finding increasing use in interior components of automobile vehicles, aircraft, and building construction. In the present study, jute and flax fibre based composites were developed and tested for assessing their suitability for possible applications in interior cabin and parts of automobile and aerospace vehicles. Matrix system involves epoxy as resin and fibre weight fractions used were 45% and 55% respectively. Composites samples were prepared as per American society for testing and materials (ASTM) standard and were tested for individual fiber tensile strength, composite tensile strength, and flexural strength to analyse its behavior under various loading conditions. The results revealed that the Jute fibre composites possess enhanced mechanical properties over Flax fibre composites.

Ascorbic acid, sucrose and olive oil lipids mitigate the inhibitory effects of pectin on the bioaccessibility and Caco-2 cellular uptake of ferulic acid and naringenin.

Whole fruit and vegetable consumption is universally promoted as healthy, to a large extent due to their high contents of phytochemicals, including phenolics and dietary fibre. The major fibre in fruits and vegetables, pectin, however also decreases the bioavailability of phenolics and carotenoids. While ascorbic acid, sucrose and olive oil lipids may increase the bioavailability of various phenolics, their effects in the presence of pectin have not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the modulating effects of sucrose (5.0%), ascorbic acid (0.1%) and olive oil (2.5%) on the inhibition by pectin (2.0%) of ferulic acid and naringenin bioaccessibility and Caco-2 cellular uptake. Pectin reduced the bioaccessbility of ferulic acid and naringenin, by 45 and 65%, respectively. Sucrose mitigated the inhibitory effect of pectin and increased naringenin bioaccessbility from 7.9 to 15.0%. When added to digestions with ferulic acid and pectin, sucrose and olive oil totally negated pectin's bioaccessibility inhibition. The Caco-2 cellular uptake of bioaccessible ferulic acid was high (58.3%) and pectin and ascorbic acid together increased it to 85.6%. The Caco-2 cellular uptake of bioaccessible naringenin was also high (47.0%) and pectin increased it to 95.0%. Sucrose and olive oil for ferulic acid and only sucrose for naringenin totally negated the inhibitory effect of pectin on the overall in vitro availability (cellular uptake as percentage of amount of phenolic initially digested). The ameliorating effects of sucrose and olive oil are due to substantially increased bioaccessibility of the phenolics, probably due reduced encapsulation of the phenolics in pectin.

Experimental Study of a Metallic Pressure Cooker Insulated with Kapok Wool

This work is devoted to an experimental study of metallic pressure cooker insulated with kapok wool, a vegetal biodegradable fiber. Experiments conducted on the cooling of hot water in the equipment revealed very low heat losses and a time constant of 60 hours on average. As a result, the equipment makes it possible to finish cooking meals only thanks to the heat stored at the beginning of cooking and keeps cooked dishes warm for long hours. The thermal phase shift of the pressure cooker is around 7 h. Cooking tests conducted on some local dishes revealed about 70% butane gas savings for cooking cowpea and white rice, 38% for cooking fatty rice, 75% for pasta and couscous, and 30% for cooking potato stew. These results show that this technology can contribute to minimizing energy consumption in the restaurant sector.

Recyclability Process of Standard and Foamed Gypsum

Gypsum is an ancient material, still widely used and suitable for many applications in the constructions, due to its low cost, availability, lightweight, good thermal and sound isolating behavior, fire resistance and low energy consumption. Nowadays gypsum have several applications spacing in different engineering fields. For example, on one hand it can be adopted as pattern material to produce high quality composite pipes via autoclave and on the other it can be adopted as building material for the production of gypsum walls that in some case can be reinforced by vegetable or synthetic fibers. These applications, that can appear completely different and unlinked, are characterized by an important common key point: the possibility of using more and more times the gypsum material. Therefore, considering that nowadays every industrial company needs to decrease the materials waste, increase recyclability and use more eco-friendly materials; this paper aims on the study of the recyclability process of both standard and lightweight gypsum. For the production of the lightweight gypsum, a vegetable protein was adopted as foaming agent and the manufacturing technique was here discussed. Bending and compression tests were preliminary conducted to know the starting mechanical properties of both standard and foamed gypsum. Then, tested specimens were reduced in small pieces and subjected to the recycling process. The recycling process mainly consists in two steps: grinding for the reduction of gypsum in powders of established granulometry size and heat treatment of the powders to pass from dehydrate to hemihydrates phase of gypsum. Then the effects of the grinding time, temperature and time of the heat treatment on the flexural and compression behavior of gypsum up to 4 recycles were investigated. The results showed that if the recycling parameters are properly setted, both foamed and standard gypsum can be recycled up 3 times without significant variation of the mechanical properties and of the gypsum mixture workability.

Takeaway food in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China: Composition and nutritional value.

The popularity of takeaway has caused health problems. To analyse the basic nutrients and composition of popular takeaway meals in Chengdu, China. We randomly collected 105 takeaway meals from takeaway platforms. The quality of ingredients such as grains, vegetables, and meat were assessed and weighed. The samples were then homogenised, and the nutrients were detected following the AOAC Official Methods of Analysis. Compared with Chinese and US dietary reference intakes, the average energy, protein, salt, fat, vitamin, and available carbohydrate contents exceeded dietary recommendations for one takeaway meal. By contrast, the whole grain, vegetable, fruit, dairy product, egg, mineral, and dietary fibre contents were insufficient. Food compositions and basic nutrients differed among takeaway meals prepared with various cooking methods and meats. Fried rice had the lowest nutritional value. The fried dish set meal had high energy density. The nutrient content of poultry takeaway meals was more balanced compared with other meals assessed, and salt and fat were excessive in mixed meat meals. In addition, meatless takeaway meals tended to have high fat content because of excess vegetable oil added for better taste. Takeaway meals should have lower contents of energy, fat, carbohydrate, and salt and higher contents of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and eggs. Attention should be paid to the high energy density of the fried dish set meal to prevent resultant health problems such as obesity. Consumers, takeaway outlets, and government agencies need to work together to address the health problems.

Adding Hydrated Lime in a Material Made of Clayey Soil and Fibres: Formulation and Effects on Thermo-Mechanical Properties

In this study, we have focused our investigations on effect of adding hydrated lime on a locally made composite material, based on clayey earth (soil) and Hibiscus sabdariffa fibres, for envelope (walls) in the building. Prior to sample’s formulation, we selected an appropriate mineral (soil) material based on criteria as: plasticizer power for good workability, dense coarse particles to withstand loads and finally porous structure to take advantage of air insulating character. We then formulated, following a mixing process by shearing and compaction by vibration that we recommend, two composite materials (A), (B) which contain respectively 1% Fibres plus 1% lime, 1% Fibres plus 3% lime. We determined thermal properties by the mean of KD2 Pro thermal analyzer, compression strength accordingly to the standard NF P 18-406, porosity following volumetric and gravimetric methods and pH of soil-hydrated lime solution. As results, up to 5% of hydrated lime, the measured pH is inferior to 12: mineralization of vegetal fibres is highly unlikely. Moreover, we observe that the addition of hydrated lime resulted in a reduction in the number of cracks and their depths; Samples (A) and (B) have a rather compact appearance than the case 1% Fibres without lime (material (C)). Furthermore, with lime stabilization, the insulating potential is improved while the thermal inertia has been deteriorated compared to material (C). However, compressive strength decreases with lime, which could be due to the presence of fibres that would inhibit the hardening of the lime. At last, with 3.39% ± 3.07% MPa, 2.27% ± 11.30% MPa for samples (A), (B) respectively, the minimum required by CRATerre-EAG (guide of CDI, 1996) for construction of envelope (walls) of single storey (ground floor) buildings is met.

Ancient Indian techniques for sustainable and environmentally friendly decorative earthen plasters of Karla and Bhaja Caves, India

Analytical identification using phytochemical test, light and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of Careya arborea stem fibres and rice husk mixed as an organic additive in the historic plaster. In the coastal regions of Western Ghats, India, C. arborea stem fibre having antioxidant, antimicrobial and termite resistance properties helped the survival of earthen plasters even in unfavourable climatic condition (immense rainfall region). Moreover, the utilization of agro-waste material such as rice husk played a role in decreasing density, imparting plasticity, durability and reducing cracks in the plaster. On comparison of earthen plaster composition of Karla caves to that of Buddhist caves of Bhaja situated just about 10 km away and belong to the same period, it is noticed that the Karla caves plaster has shown higher survival rate. This may be due to the inclusion of C. arborea plant stem fibres in earthen plaster of Karla caves. Bhaja caves plaster contains rice husk and Paspalum grains (a weed growing along rice plant) as organic additive, which together played a role in imparting properties as discussed above but have not provided antifungal and insecticidal properties to the plaster leading to its deterioration. This study helps in understanding that the ancient technicians implemented cost effective, environmentally convenient, and upgraded traditional technologies with locally available material in the construction of Karla caves earthen plaster by utilizing an appropriate mixing of vegetable fibres, clay, sand and agricultural waste.