Research Articles

Chip size distribution is important in kraft pulping, as it affects chemical use, quality, and yield in pulp production. Pinus taeda logs with two storage periods (0 and 2 weeks) and two log lengths (2.4 and 7.0 m) were processed with a disc chipper. Logs stored for two weeks produced chips with 7% less moisture than logs with no storage period. The storage period significantly influenced the quantities of overthick, accept, pin, and fines classes. Logs stored for two weeks produced 1.7% more overthick, 3.8% more pin, and 1.1% fines than logs with no stocking period. Consequently, the amount of accept produced was 6.2% higher for chips from  processing freshly harvested logs. Log length influenced the produced quantities of oversize, overthick, and accept. Logs with a length of 2.4 m produced chips with 1.4% more oversize, 2.5% more overthick, and 4.6% less accept, compared to 7.0 m logs. Thus, it was concluded that Pinus taeda logs with shorter storage periods and longer lengths generate more chips in the “accept” class.

One of the best and most affordable ways to remove harmful metals from water is by adsorption. This study investigated the efficiency of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) eggshells as a low-cost adsorbent for cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) removal from landfill leachate. In replicas, 100 mL wastewater was added to each of the weighed adsorbent dosages (1 g, 1.5 g, 2 g, 2.5 g, 3.0 g, and 3.5 g) in a flat-bottom flask and agitated for 60 minutes at pH of 7.82 and temperature 24 °C. The adsorption efficacy of cadmium and nickel by guinea fowl eggshells were 90.5% to 96.5% and 96.1% to 99.3%, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium was 4.89 × 10^-2 mg/g and an adsorption equilibrium (K_L) 22.74 mg/L. The Langmuir isotherm model was better fitted to the results of the experiment than the Freundlich isotherm model.

Spirulina platensis has roles in biotechnological product advancement due to its safety for humans and animals. Analysis of S. platensis extract by high-performance liquid chromatography reflected the presence of 14 phenolic and flavonoid compounds with different concentrations such as ellagic acid (333 µg/g), gallic acid (294 µg/g), methyl gallate (147 µg/g), naringenin (144 µg/g), and chlorogenic acid (142 µg/g). The isolated Aspergillus flavus from silage of maize was tested to evaluate the effect of S. platensis extract on aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 production. The treated silage with S. platensis extract showed the presence of 37±0.33 ppb, 0.59±0.16 ppb, 0.26±0.22 ppb, and 0.21±0.18 ppb compared to un-treated silage that showed 3.14±0.15 ppb, 0.81±0.08 ppb, 0.46±0.05 ppb, and 0.26±0.23 ppb aflatoxins of B1, B2, G1, and G2. These results were shown on the 10^th day of incubation. On the 15^th day of incubation, the treated silage showed less mycotoxins than un-treated silage. At different incubation periods, glucosamine was estimated as a growth development biomarker. The content of glucosamine was inhibited as a result of the effect of S. platensis extract on fungus growth with 53.71%, 49.19%, 47.84%, 38.47%, and 35.72% inhibition on the 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, 12^th, and 15^th day.

This study optimized the salt free reactive dyeing process using the Taguchi approach. Dyeing of cotton fabric with reactive dyes is popular because of its bright and brilliant color in various shade ranges. Cationization with ALBAFIX-WFF and the dyeing process on cotton fabric was carried out using the exhaust method. To determine the optimum process conditions, two types of multiple characteristic parameters, including the single characteristic value conversion method and the process maximization method, were used on the basis of color strength (K/S) and wash fastness. The single characteristic value conversion method confirmed that the optimum process condition was a cationization temperature of 40 °C and a dyeing pH of 11. Most importantly, the optimal conditions were confirmed by the process maximization method as a concentration of ALBAFIX-WFF 30 g/L, cationization temperature at 80 °C, dyeing pH 12, and material-to-liquor ratio (M:L) of 1:5.  More suitable dyeing properties are also achieved by the process maximization method.

This study aimed to model carbon footprint, carbon dioxide sequestration, and emissions from kenaf cultivation as well as utilization of core and bast as biomaterials in the automotive industries and their environmental implications. It also considers the selection of suitable processing methods to improve the environmental performance of automotive parts. The data were obtained from three areas, and each area was divided into three cultivated sub areas for the carbon footprint model. Data regarding the conversion of kenaf to fibre when using kenaf high decorticator machines were provided from Kenaf Processing and Marketing Centre (CMPC) in Malaysia. The results showed that the total estimated quantity of carbon footprint of kenaf cultivation in the studied areas as well as the farms was about 0.750 tonne CO₂/tonne. In addition, the total estimated quantity of carbon sequestration of automotive components in the studied states       as well as the district was approximately 180,000 tonne CO₂/tonne/hectare/year in addition to carbon sequestered by soil in hectare of cultivated kenaf. The practices of kenaf cultivation, processing, and utilization into automotive components is essential for the environment and will assist in the mitigation of climate change risks.

This study investigated the effect of a Pd/C catalytic extraction process on the hydrothermal depolymerization product properties of ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL) in supercritical ethanol. Phenolic products were separated and analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of obtained liquid oil products from depolymerized EOL confirmed the presence of value-added phenolics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of the char product. During ethanol organosolv lignin extraction, 90.5% purity of EOL was obtained. A high yield of EOL up to 39.6% from bamboo without catalysts and with higher yield of EOL up to 44.0% from 1% Pd/C catalyst under 200 °C. A high yield of liquid oil products, up to 65.4%, was recovered from EOL depolymerization under conditions of 240 °C, 240 min, 100 vol % ethanol, and 2% EOL, with only 24% solid residue. The main phenolic products were 2-methoxyphenol, 4-ethylphenol, 4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-phenol, and 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol.

The novelty of the research consists in the fact that the decayed wood was taken from an old icon, on which several consolidation treatments were applied, and the improvement indices of the decayed wood (by Anobiidae insects) were also determined. This research investigated two types of the most used consolidant (Paraloid B72 10% and Regalrez 1126 25%) solubilized in three types of solvents, to improve the properties of lime wood samples coming from cultural heritage objects that presented different degrees of degradation. Testing methodology for dimensional changes and wood swelling due to solvents impregnation, retention of consolidant in the degraded Tilia cordata wood, and the effectiveness of the consolidation treatment by the Mark hardness method was extensively presented. The highest amount of consolidant was observed when using Regalrez solution, and the lowest amount of consolidant was determined for Paraloid B72 solubilized in acetone. As a general conclusion, the use of Paraloid B72 or Regalrez 1126 for the consolidation of old and degraded lime wood, regardless of the type of solubilizer, will lead to stabilization of the wood degraded properties and the life span of the heritage object.

Effects of thermal modification were determined relative to chemical parameters of Pinus roxburghii. Thermal modification of wood was carried out at 80, 120, 160, and 200 °C for 2, 4, and 6 h. The chemical properties were different for different temperatures and different heating time. All parameters were similar except for cold water soluble extractives. Among the chemical properties studied, the maximum mean value of cold water extractives (8.20%), hot water soluble extractives (12.7%), holocellulose content (71.8%), and ash content (1.46%) were recorded at 120 °C, whereas the maximum mean values of alcohol benzene soluble extractives (13.9%) and lignin content (33.7%) were observed at 200 °C. The minimum mean value of cold water soluble extractives (5.82%), hot water soluble extractives (9.27%), holocellulose content (65.8%), and ash content (1.03%) were found to be at 200 °C, while the highest value of alcohol benzene soluble extractives 12.2% (control) and lignin content (28.0%) were found to be at 80 °C.

This study investigated the extraction and properties of an arabinogalactan polysaccharide from frost grape (FGP) as a potential alternative to gum arabic (GA). Collection date, solvent:feed ratio (S:F), chip size, C-18 filtration, ultrafiltration, freeze drying versus spray drying, methanol pre-extraction, and water absorption were examined. Sugar composition, elemental analysis, dietary fiber content, emulsification activity index (EAI), emulsification stability index (ESI), and viscosity were used to evaluate the extracts. Exudates collected in March from live stems were viscous with high percentage solids and FGP, while May collections were watery with low percentage solids and FGP. Frost grape stems were collected, chipped, and classified by size. The extraction system utilized pressure or vacuum to increase contact between the chips and extraction water. A S:F ratio of ca. 24% gave an excellent yield of FGP. Chips between 1.8 and 3.8 mm gave the highest mass yields. Pre-extracting the chips with methanol and C-18 filtration of the water extract both yielded a lighter product. The EAI for the FGP was higher than that for GA; however, its ESI was lower. Ultrafiltration of the crude extract separated glucose, fructose, and sucrose from the FGP. FGP with glucose, fructose, and sucrose adsorbed water and became darker.

Biochar made from seaweed biomass of marine farms established for water pollutant remediation may be a promising amendment for soil remediation in the same coastal territory. The study aimed to assess the soil Cu-immobilizing, pH neutralizing, and nutrient improvement capabilities of a seaweed biochar when incorporated into degraded soil of the same coastal territory (Puchuncaví District, central Chile). Experimental design considered five treatments; degraded soil of Puchuncaví valley (C-), C- amended with either local seaweed biochar (B), vermicompost (V), or its mixture (BV), and a background soil (C+). Experimental soils were placed in pots and kept in a greenhouse (4 weeks). Lolium perenne was then sown and cultivated until week 11. Treatments amended with biochar (B and BV) significantly increased soil pH, available nitrogen and decreased Cu²⁺ ions. These treatments reached very high EC values but had no negative effect on plant yield. Regarding plant growth, V and BV significantly increased biomass, but V resulted in higher yield because of its higher nutritional status. It was concluded that seaweed biochar, made from local seaweed biomass of a coastal marine water pollutant remediation farm, may be an effective soil amendment for degraded soils of the same coastal territory, although its combination with an organic amendment should be considered.