NC State
BioResources
  • Researchpp 235-248Moradbak, A., Tahir, P. M., Mohamed A. Z., and Halis, R. (2016). "Alkaline sulfite anthraquinone and methanol pulping of bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii)," BioRes. 11(1), 235-248.AbstractArticlePDF

    Alkali ratios and cooking time of the alkaline sulfite anthraquinone (AQ) and methanol (ASAM) pulping process of bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) were studied. Bamboo chips were cooked at three different levels of sodium hydroxide and cooking time, namely 14, 16, or 18% for 60, 90, or 120 minutes. Pulping parameters that remained constant were the use of 0.5% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), with an 80/20 ratio Na2SO3/NaOH, 0.1% anthraquinone, 15% methanol, and a temperature of 170 °C in the cooking process. Samples prepared using 14% NaOH and 90 min of cooking time resulted in the highest pulp yield, 52.4%, and a Kappa number of 18.1. It seems that 16% sodium hydroxide and 90 min of cooking time are the most appropriate cooking conditions, giving a 49.1% pulp yield and 14.2 Kappa number. The quality of bamboo pulp produced by the ASAM pulping process was found to be beneficial for the use in paper and board manufacturing.

  • Researchpp 249-266Lou, Y., Joseph, S., Li, L., Graber, E. R., Liu, X., and Pan, G. (2016). "Water extract from straw biochar used for plant growth promotion: An initial test," BioRes. 11(1), 249-266.AbstractArticlePDF

    The production of energy and biochar from the pyrolysis of straw and other agricultural residues is a developing industry that holds the potential to reduce air pollution from in-field burning, recycle nutrients, reduce chemical fertilizer inputs, and improve soil quality. Use of biochar in agriculture is undergoing tests globally. Water-soluble organic compounds from pyrolysis residue containing humic substances, low-molecular weight acids, and neutral compounds and inorganic elements containing macro and micro nutrients have been shown to be beneficial for plant growth. In the present study, crop straw biochars were extracted into hot water and the extracts tested for their effect on growth of Chinese cabbage. The extracts were sprayed 10 times at three different dilutions throughout the growing period. The extracts were characterized for inorganic elements by ICP-MS and for organic compound type by LC-OCD and FTIR. Results showed that extracts of both wheat and maize straw biochar can significantly increase the yield, vitamin C content, and soluble protein content while decreasing the nitrate content of the cabbage at dilutions of 50 or 100 times. Water extract from biochar was found to have great potential as a liquid amendment in agricultural.

  • Researchpp 267-280Zhou, J., Chen, L., Fu, W., Chen, Z., Zhao, Z., Cheng, W., and Zhang, Z. (2016). "Preparation and performance evaluation of bamboo lumber prepared by assembly and glue-curing of naturally arc-shaped segments with finger joints," BioRes. 11(1), 267-280.AbstractArticlePDF

    Using bamboo to replace wood has great significance for the protection of forests. This work presents the concept of the reorganization of arc bamboo sheet to produce recombined arc-segment bamboo lumber (RABL). Several key preparation technology parameters were investigated. Results showed that when the phenol resin (PF) double-sided adhesive quantity was 250 g/m2, unit pressure was 2.0 MPa, screen voltage was 4200 V, screen current was 1.5 A, and hot pressing time was 30 s/mm, the modulus of rupture (MOR) of the RABL was 105 MPa and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was 5000 MPa. These parameters mean that RABL could be used as the structural material for load-bearing situations. If ignoring the machining allowance, the bamboo utilization rate of the RABL was 1.72 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo and the adhesive level of the RABL was 0.6 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo. When considering the machining allowance, the bamboo utilization rate of the RABL was 1.8 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo, and the adhesive volume of the RABL was 0.56 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo, so RABL has obvious advantages.

  • Researchpp 281-295Espinoza, O., Trujillo, V. R., Mallo, M. F. L., and Buehlmann, U. (2016). "Cross-laminated timber: Status and research needs in Europe," BioRes. 11(1), 281-295.AbstractArticlePDF

    In the 20 years since its invention in Europe, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has become a widely used construction material in parts of the old continent and has started to attract global attention. CLT possesses numerous advantages as a construction material, including its superior structural and environmental performance, as well as the speed and efficiency with which CLT buildings can be erected. In this study, European engineers were surveyed to learn about their current level of awareness of CLT, the major barriers to CLT adoption, and about the most pressing research needs to advance the use of CLT as a construction material. The study used a web-based survey with a convenience sample of 93 different kinds of timber and civil engineers and/or researchers, most of which belong to a European CLT research network. Results showed that participants think that, in general, the level of awareness about CLT among developers, construction managers, engineers, architects, and construction managers, is low. The majority of perceived barriers for CLT adoption involved its building code compatibility and the availability of technical information. The most pressing research needs for CLT development, according to respondents, are in the areas of structural performance and connections, moisture performance, and market research.

  • Researchpp 296-305Tolvaj, L., Popescu, C. M., Molnar, Z., and Preklet, E. (2016). "Effects of air relative humidity and temperature on photodegradation processes in beech and spruce wood," BioRes. 11(1), 296-305.AbstractArticlePDF

    Spruce and beech samples were irradiated by UV light in humid (100% air humidity) and dry conditions to clarify the effects of vapor on photodegradation. UV-irradiated samples were also soaked in distilled water for comparison. The color change and the IR absorption spectra were measured. The wet condition generated considerably greater discoloration than did the dry condition. The intensity of the color change was higher at elevated temperature (53 °C) than at 32 °C. The results showed that the presence of water as vapor increased the degradation of lignin. The nonconjugated carbonyl groups absorbing around 1760 cm-1 were found not to be stable, and the number of these chemical groups decreased in the presence of vapor when compared against the dry condition. The rising temperature amplified this degradation effect.

  • Researchpp 306-323Nurhazwani, O., Jawaid, M., Paridah, M. T., Abdul , J. H., and Hamid, S. A. (2016). "Hybrid particleboard made from bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) veneer waste and rubberwood (Hevea brasilienses)," BioRes. 11(1), 306-323.AbstractArticlePDF

    This study investigated adhesion properties, such as buffering capacity and wettability, of bamboo and rubberwood and evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid particleboard made from bamboo (B) veneer waste and rubberwood (RW) particles. The bamboo had an acidic pH value with a high buffering capacity compared with rubberwood. Hybrid bamboo-rubberwood particleboard displayed better mechanical properties compared to 100% bamboo and rubberwood particleboard. All hybrid particleboard panels passed and fulfilled the minimum standard requirements, except for thickness swelling and water absorption tests. However, for thickness swelling test, only boards consisting of 50B:50RW and 30B:70RW passed and fulfilled the minimum TS requirements of the British Standard EN 317 (1993). Panels made from 100% bamboo veneer waste displayed the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values, 15.30 N/mm2 and 2650.14 N/mm2, respectively. Hybrid particleboard panels exhibited better screw withdrawal compared with panels made of only bamboo or rubberwood particles. It is concluded that bamboo veneer waste enhances the quality of particleboards, especially in terms of mechanical strength. Thus, bamboo veneer waste can decrease the dependence of the particleboard industry on rubberwood.

  • Researchpp 324-335Cirule, D., Meija-Feldmane, A., Kuka, E., Andersons, B., Kurnosova, N., Antons, A., and Tuherm, H. (2016). "Spectral sensitivity of thermally modified and unmodified wood," BioRes. 11(1), 324-335.AbstractArticlePDF

    The chemical structure of wood changes significantly during thermal modification, significantly influencing the behaviour of wood during weathering. In this study, the effect of different wavelength ranges on thermally modified and unmodified aspen (Populus tremula L.) wood during solar irradiation was investigated. Irradiation was performed by exposing wood to natural solar irradiation under filters transmitting different wavelength ranges. For both woods, the magnitude of characteristic change (discolouration, changes in reflectance, and chemical composition) clearly depended on the solar wavelength bands, but the trends of the changes differed. For unmodified wood, the magnitude of the characteristic changes increased as the portion of short-wavelength radiation in the light increased. However, UV radiation was not found to be the dominant factor influencing changes in thermally modified wood during solar irradiation. The colour and chemical structure of thermally modified wood changed substantially for all studied irradiation conditions.

  • Researchpp 336-353Xu, Y., Wang, J., Qian, X., Zuo, L., and Yue, X. (2016). "Effects of supplementary alkali after alkaline peroxide treatment on the properties of bleached kraft pine fluff pulp," BioRes. 11(1), 336-353.AbstractArticlePDF

    Effects of dual-treatment on cellulose fiber quality, micro-structure appearance, crystalline structure, hydrogen bonds, and surface elements were analyzed using a fiber quality analyzer (FQA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. In comparison to the untreated pulp, the brightness of pulp increased by 51.71%, whereas the apparent density and burst strength index of the pulpboard decreased by 11.76% and 48.18%, respectively. The absorption time, absorbability, and bulk of the fiber obtained by defibering the pulpboard decreased by 47.40%, 8.33%, and 5.32%, respectively, when it had been subjected to supplementary alkali. With the analysis of FQA and SEM, fiber swelled and curled, its surface was relatively smooth, and filaments of its partial surface area were exposed as a result of the supplementary alkali. Additionally, XRD analysis, FT-IR analysis, and XPS scanning spectra all showed that the crystallinity degree of fiber decreased by 45.10%, indicating more crystal structures were converted into amorphous structures. The proportion of total intra-molecular hydrogen bond intensity to total hydrogen bonds increased. The –OH content on fiber surface only decreased by 4.15%, compared with those of the untreated pulp, when the fiber was subjected to the two-step chemical treatment.

  • Researchpp 354-364Derikvand, M., and Pangh, H. (2016). "A modified method for shear strength measurement of adhesive bonds in solid wood," BioRes. 11(1), 354-364.AbstractArticlePDF

    An experimental method was developed in this investigation to evaluate the shear strength of adhesive bonds in solid wood materials. The new method was tested against the standard test methods described in ASTM D-905, EN 205, and EN 302-1. Specimens were constructed of Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and bonded with three different wood adhesives. Using the proposed method in the study, unintentional errors in cutting and testing processes of the shear specimens were decreased, which led to a decrease in the variability of the results. The worst stability was observed in the data obtained when the EN 205 and ASTM D-905 standard methods were used.

  • Researchpp 365-372Marounek, M., Volek, Z., Skřivanová, E., Taubner, T., and Dušková, D. (2016). "Comparative study on the hypocholesterolemic activity of amidated polysaccharides and psyllium," BioRes. 11(1), 365-372.AbstractArticlePDF

    The effects of amidated carboxymethylcellulose, amidated pectin, and psyllium on serum and hepatic cholesterol, hepatic fat, and fecal output of sterols were examined in female rats. Rats were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol (0 or 10 g/kg) and palm fat. Amidated cellulose at 30 g/kg significantly decreased the serum and hepatic concentration of cholesterol by 28.1% and 64.6%, respectively. Corresponding values in rats fed amidated pectin were 28.9% and 72.4%. The effects of psyllium were similar, but less pronounced. Amidated pectin significantly increased the fecal output of cholesterol, total neutral sterols, and total sterols by 49.1%, 31.9%, and 31.0%, respectively. Amidated cellulose and psyllium increased the fecal excretion of total sterols by 1.1% and 5.5%, respectively. In the feces of rats fed amidated cellulose, a small amount of conjugated bile acids was detected (0.83% of total bile acids). In these rats, the lowest expression of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase was detected, corresponding to the low fecal output of bile acids. We conclude that the hypocholesterolemic effects of both amidated polysaccharides were similar in spite of their different affinity to sterols.

@BioResJournal

54 years ago

Read More