scholarly journals Prospects for the use of plant materials in creating biodegradable eco-friendly packaging

2021 ◽  
Vol 915 (1) ◽  
pp. 012003
Author(s):  
A Nechai ◽  
A Krvavych ◽  
R Konechna

Abstract This article provides information on the expansion of the base of vegetable raw material used in the packaging industry. During literature research the following criteria were considered: biodegradability, cheapness, availability, a sprouting area, an impact of used materials on condition of other industries. Plant-derived polysaccharides are contemplated as a source of biodegradable substances. The main subjects of research are plants with medicinal properties, invasive, technical and agricultural crops. The process for producing polysaccharide-based films was also examined. The possibility of introducing technologies into production was assessed. Conclusions are based on the impact of all stages of the process (collection, recycling, receiving and reusing) on the environment. Cogeneration technologies, pharmaceutical wastes and biotechnological biomass cultivation methods usage are taken into account to obtain efficient production.

2021 ◽  
Vol 937 (3) ◽  
pp. 032100
Author(s):  
T Ivanova ◽  
V Arkhipova ◽  
E Antonovskaya ◽  
G Sokolova ◽  
S Brenchagova ◽  
...  

Abstract The Russian Federation has a significant raw material, scientific, technical, production and consumer potential necessary for the development of the mineral fertilizer industry. The amount of fertilizers used to increase soil fertility is one of the factors that determine the solution to the problem of the country’s economic and food security. The purpose of this article is to develop a methodology for assessing the impact of the chemicalization process on the collection of major agricultural crops in the Russian Federation. To write it, methods such as: correlation and regression analysis, index analysis, calculation of the integral indicator, forecasting are used. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the following sequence of actions. Based on the statistics, we performed an index analysis of seven parameters; calculated an integral indicator that allows us to consider factors with a heterogeneous metric; assessed the impact of the chemicalization process on the collection of major crops. Further (using the Excel program), we developed a forecast for the development of chemicalization processes in agriculture until 2022 according to three scenarios: optimistic, probabilistic and pessimistic. Forecast quality indicators indicate that the optimistic and probabilistic scenarios are more likely to be realized. Thus, based on the obtained forecast data, it can be stated that it is necessary to adjust certain indicators that actively influence the rate of harvesting of the main agricultural crops, which is a mathematical justification for making managerial decisions in the development of strategies and programs for the chemicalization of agriculture in the Russian Federation, in order to develop it further.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 485
Author(s):  
Vera Schmid ◽  
Antje Trabert ◽  
Judith (Schäfer) Keller ◽  
Mirko Bunzel ◽  
Heike P. Karbstein ◽  
...  

Food by-products can be used as natural and sustainable food ingredients. However, a modification is needed to improve the technofunctional properties according to the specific needs of designated applications. A lab-scale twin-screw extruder was used to process enzymatically treated apple pomace from commercial fruit juice production. To vary the range of the thermomechanical treatment, various screw speeds (200, 600, 1000 min−1), and screw configurations were applied to the raw material. Detailed chemical and functional analyses were performed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the extrusion processing on apple pomace composition and technofunctional properties as well as structures of individual polymers. Extrusion at moderate thermomechanical conditions increased the water absorption, swelling, and viscosity of the material. An increase in thermomechanical stress resulted in a higher water solubility index, but negatively affected the water absorption index, viscosity, and swelling. Scanning electron microscopy showed an extrusion-processing-related disruption of the cell wall. Dietary fiber analysis revealed an increase of soluble dietary fiber from 12.6 to 17.2 g/100 g dry matter at maximum thermo-mechanical treatment. Dietary fiber polysaccharide analysis demonstrated compositional changes, mainly in the insoluble dietary fiber fraction. In short, pectin polysaccharides seem to be susceptible to thermo-mechanical stress, especially arabinans as neutral side chains of rhamnogalacturonan I.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Hang Jia ◽  
Haoxi Ben ◽  
Fengze Wu

Biochar is generally accepted and increasingly valued in scientific circles as solid products in the thermochemical conversion of biomass, mainly because of its rich carbon content. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of biochar from different sources on wheat growth. In particular, this work focused on the effect of different preparation methods and raw material of biochar on the growth of wheat and aim to find a potential soil substitute that can be used for crop cultivation. Two synthetic methods were evaluated: hydrothermal conversion and pyrolysis. The characterization of biochar was determined to explore the impact of its microstructure on wheat growth. The results show that the yield of biochar produced from high-pressure reactor is significantly higher than that obtained by using microwave reactor. For example, the biochar yield obtained through the former is about six times that of the latter when using steamed bread cooked as biomass raw material. In addition, the growth trend of wheat indicates that biochar has different promoting effects on the growth of wheat in its weight and height. The pyrolyzed carbon is more suitable for wheat growth and is even more effective than soil, indicating that pyrolyzed biochar has more potential to be an alternative soil in the future. Moreover, this research tries to explore the reasons that affect crop growth by characterizing biochar (including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), biofilm electrostatic test (BET) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)). The results indicate that the biochar containing more pits and less hydroxyl functional are more suitable for storing moisture, which is one of the significant factors in the growth of crops. This study provides evidence of the effects of biochar on crop growth, both in terms of microstructure and macroscopic growth trends, which provides significant benefits for biochar to grow crops or plants.


Urban Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Yuejuan Yang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Xinquan Zhao ◽  
Zhizhang Chen ◽  
Aiguo Wang ◽  
...  

Ecosystem services are the material basis of economic and social development, and play essential roles in the sustainable development of ecosystems. Urbanization can remarkably alter the provision of ecosystem services. Most studies in this area have focused on densely populated metropolises with poor ecological environments, while comparatively few studies have focused on cities with low ecological pressures. Therefore, to avoid continuing to engage in the repetitive pattern of destroying first and rehabilitating later, quantitative analyses of urbanization and ecosystem services should be carried out in representative cities. In this study, based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis, kernel density estimation, and correlation analysis, we quantitatively evaluated the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services in Weifang city. The Data Center for Resources and Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research provided remote sensing data on land use, the gross domestic production (GDP), population data, and ecosystem services. The results were as follows: (1) The variation in population, GDP, and built-up areas consistently increased throughout the study period, whereas the ecosystem service values (ESVs) decreased; (2) food production, raw material production, nutrient cycle maintenance, and soil conservation were decisive ecosystem services that led to vast reductions in ESVs during the process of urbanization; and (3) the negative correlation coefficient between built-up areas and ecosystem services was greater than that between the population or GDP and ecosystem services, which indicated that the impacts of population and economic urbanization on ecosystem services lagged behind the impact of land urbanization. This study provides references for fully recognizing the ecological effects of urbanization, and make suggestions regarding the application of ecosystem services in sustainable development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-176
Author(s):  
Penghua Han ◽  
Cun Zhang ◽  
Zhaopeng Ren ◽  
Xiang He ◽  
Sheng Jia

Abstract The advance speed of a longwall face is an essential factor affecting the mining pressure and overburden movement, and an effective approach for choosing a reasonable advance speed to realise coal mine safety and efficient production is needed. To clarify the influence of advance speed on the overburden movement law of a fully mechanised longwall face, a time-space subsidence model of overburden movement is established by the continuous medium analysis method. The movement law of overburden in terms of the advance speed is obtained, and mining stress characteristics at different advance speeds are reasonably explained. The theoretical results of this model are further verified by a physical simulation experiment. The results support the following conclusions. (i) With increasing advance speed of the longwall face, the first (periodic) rupture interval of the main roof and the key stratum increase, while the subsidence of the roof, the fracture angle and the rotation angle of the roof decrease. (ii) With increasing advance speed, the roof displacement range decreases gradually, and the influence range of the advance speed on the roof subsidence is 75 m behind the longwall face. (iii) An increase in the advance speed of the longwall face from 4.89 to 15.23 m/d (daily advancing of the longwall face) results in a 3.28% increase in the impact load caused by the sliding instability of the fractured rock of the main roof and a 5.79% decrease in the additional load caused by the rotation of the main roof, ultimately resulting in a 9.63% increase in the average dynamic load coefficient of the support. The roof subsidence model based on advance speed is proposed to provide theoretical support for rational mining design and mining-pressure-control early warning for a fully mechanised longwall face.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10454
Author(s):  
Katarína Teplická ◽  
Martin Straka

This article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of using mining machines and their life cycle. The main goal of the article is to investigate the impact of a combination of mobile and stationary mining machines and their optimal distribution in the mining process to increase the efficiency of mining and processing of raw materials. The following methods of research were focused on the use of technical indicators for the valuation efficiency of the mining process: a simulation method was used for the distribution of mining machines, comparison analysis was used for the real and past state of mining machines, and a decision tree was used as managerial instrument for optimal alternatives of mining machines. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that optimal distribution of mining machines and machine parks is very important for mining companies. The benefit of this research for the mining company was the new location of the machines and the combination of stationary production lines and mobile equipment. The optimal layout of the machines reduced the number of conveyor belts and improved the transfer of limestone processing to mobile devices, saving time, which was reflected in transport costs. The results can be useful for other mining companies seeking to create an optimal machine park.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 447
Author(s):  
Miguel Alfonso Quiñones-Reveles ◽  
Víctor Manuel Ruiz-García ◽  
Sarai Ramos-Vargas ◽  
Benedicto Vargas-Larreta ◽  
Omar Masera-Cerutti ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the relationship between chemical properties, energy efficiency, and emissions of wood and pellets from madroño Arbutus xalapensis Kunth, tázcate Juniperus deppeana Steud, and encino colorado Quercus sideroxyla Humb. & Bonpl. in two gasifiers (top-lit-up-draft (T-LUD) and electricity generation wood camp stove (EGWCS)) in order to determine the reduction of footprint carbon. In accordance with conventional methodologies, we determined the extracts and chemical components (lignin, cellulose, holocellulose), and the immediate analyses were carried out (volatile materials, fixed carbon, ash content and microanalysis of said ash), as well as the evaluation of emission factors (total suspended particulate matter (PM2.5), CO, CO2, CH4, black carbon (BC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC)). The results were statistically analyzed to compare each variable among species and gasifiers. The raw material analyzed showed how the pH ranged from 5.01 to 5.57, and the ash content ranged between 0.39 and 0.53%. The content values of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca ranged from 0.08 to 0.22, 0.18 to 0.19, 0.38 to 0.84, 1.75 to 1.90, and 3.62 to 3.74 mg kg−1, respectively. The extractive ranges from cyclohexane were 2.48–4.79%, acetone 2.42–4.08%, methanol 3.17–7.99%, and hot water 2.12–4.83%. The range of lignin was 18.08–28.60%. The cellulose content ranged from 43.30 to 53.90%, and holocellulose from 53.50 to 64.02%. The volatile material range was 81.2–87.42%, while fixed carbon was 11.30–17.48%; the higher heating value (HHV) of raw material and pellets presented the ranges 17.68–20.21 and 19.72–21.81 MJ kg−1, respectively. Thermal efficiency showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between pellets and gasifiers, with an average of 31% Tier 3 in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for the T-LUD and 14% (ISO Tier 1) for EGWCS, with Arbutus xalapensis being the species with the highest energy yield. The use of improved combustion devices, as well as that of selected raw material species, can reduce the impact of global warming by up to 33% on a cooking task compared to the three-stone burner.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Silveira ◽  
Flavio Teles ◽  
Erica Melo ◽  
Valeria Borges ◽  
Filipe Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims End-stage chronic kidney disease is associated with the condition of chronic inflammation, impacting increased cardiovascular mortality in this specific population. Patients on hemodialysis are known to be predisposed to several factors that predispose to inflammation: dialysis membranes, central venous catheters, oxidative stress, fluid overload, sodium overload, uraemic toxins. Propolis, a natural resin produced by bees from plant materials, has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Brazilian green propolis extract on inflammation in hemodialysis patients. Here we present preliminary results of the trial NCT04072341. Method We performed a prospective trial, open-label 9-week crossover study examining the effect of Brazilian green propolis (250mg/day, in capsules) on inflammation in hemodialysis patients. We included patients over 18 years, under intermittent hemodialysis (thrice per week), on hemodialysis for at least 1 month and until now 37 patients were included. We excluded pregnant women, cancer carried and patients who developed infection or underwent any surgical procedure during the study period. Each period was 4 weeks in duration with a 1-week washout period in between. The primary end point was change in serum level of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (HsCRP). Secondary end point evaluated the safety of propolis use in hemodialysis patients. Results Their mean age was 58.6 ± 15.2 years (mean ± SD), and 22 (59.4%) were men. The proportion of patients with hypertension was 14 (37.8%) and diabetes was 9 (24.3%). The number of patients using arteriovenous fistula were 26 (70.2%). The HsCRP presented (mean ± SE) 5.31 ± 1.02 mg/L at baseline, 4.26 ± 0.76 mg/L after propolis period and 4.56 ± 1.32 mg/L in control period, p = 0.0042. Safety parameters were analyzed such as amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK); there was no difference between them before and after the use of propolis. None of the participants reported any adverse effects or allergic reactions during the treatment. Conclusion Patients on hemodialysis have an increased inflammatory state. For the best of our knowledge it was the first clinical trial who demonstrated the safety of propolis in hemodialysis patients. Brazilian green propolis demonstrated a tendency to reduce inflammation in these patients.


1983 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amechi Okolo

This paper traces the history of the relationship between Africa and the West since their first contact brought about by the outward thrust of the West, under the impetus of rising capitalism, in search of cheap labour and cheap raw material for its industries and expanding markets for its industrial products, both of which could be better ensured through domination and exploitation. The paper identifies five successive stages that African political economy has passed through under the impact of this relationship, each phase qualitatively different from the other but all having the common characteristic of domination-dependence syndrome, and each phase having been dictated by the dynamics of capitalism in different eras and by the dominant forces in the changing international system. Its finding is that the way to the latest stage, the dependency phase, was paved by the progressive proletarianization of the African peoples and the maintenance of an international peonage system. It ends by indicating the direction in which Africa can make a beginning to break out of dependency and achieve liberation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document