HTC of Wet Residues of the Brewing Process: Comprehensive Characterization of Produced Beer, Spent Grain and Valorized Residues

Steady consumption of beer results in a steady output of residues, i.e., brewer’s spent grain (BSG). Its valorization, using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) seems sensible. However, a significant knowledge gap regarding the variability of this residue and its influence on the valorization process and its potential use in biorefineries exists. This study attempted to fill this gap by characterization of BSG in conjunction with the main product (beer), taking into accounts details of the brewing process. Moreover, different methods to assess the performance of HTC were investigated. Overall, the differences in terms of the fuel properties of both types of spent grain were much less stark, in comparison to the differences between the respective beers. The use of HTC as a pretreatment of BSG for subsequent use as a biorefinery feedstock can be considered beneficial. HTC was helpful in uniformization and improvement of the fuel properties. A significant decrease in the oxygen content and O/C ratio and improved grindability was achieved. The Weber method proved to be feasible for HTC productivity assessment for commercial installations, giving satisfactory results for most of the cases, contrary to traditional ash tracer method, which resulted in significant overestimations of the mass yield.

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Hydrothermal Carbonization of Brewery’s Spent Grains for the Production of Solid Biofuels

Beverages ◽

10.3390/beverages5010012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mateusz Jackowski ◽

Damian Semba ◽

Anna Trusek ◽

Mateusz Wnukowski ◽

Lukasz Niedzwiecki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Biogas Production ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽

Fuel Properties ◽

Solid Biofuels ◽

Spent Grains ◽

Brewing Process ◽

Spent Grain ◽

Preliminary Study

To make a beer there are four essential ingredients needed: water, malt, hops, and yeast. After brewing process, the main wastes are spent grains. These are often used as additions to fodders in animal husbandry. This study presents preliminary results of an investigation aiming to determine the feasibility of an alternative use of spent grains as a potential source of solid fuel. This source of energy could make breweries partly sustainable in terms of their energy supply. Such an approach may be feasible especially in large scale industrial breweries. This preliminary study presents encouraging results, showing improvements in terms of the fuel properties of the spent grain after its valorization through hydrothermal carbonization. Moreover, qualitative GC-MS analysis also indicates potential feasibility of the liquid byproduct of the hydrothermal carbonization of spent grain for biogas production. Results of proximate, ultimate, and DTG analyses show that hydrothermal carbonization of spent grain could improve its fuel properties and make it an especially suitable feedstock for fast pyrolysis and gasification. Improvement of HHV is also an improvement in terms of combustion.

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Synergetic Co-Production of Beer Colouring Agent and Solid Fuel from Brewers’ Spent Grain in the Circular Economy Perspective

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su131810480 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (18) ◽

pp. 10480

Author(s):

Mateusz Jackowski ◽

Łukasz Niedźwiecki ◽

Krzysztof Mościcki ◽

Amit Arora ◽

Muhammad Azam Saeed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solid Fuel ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Fuel Properties ◽

Dual Purpose ◽

Heating Value ◽

Mild Conditions ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Brewing Process ◽

Spent Grain

Brewers’ Spent Grain is a by-product of the brewing process, with potential applications for energy purposes. This paper presents the results of an investigation aiming at valorization of this residue by torrefaction, making product for two purposes: a solid fuel that could be used for generation of heat for the brewery and a colouring agent that could replace colouring malt for the production of dark beers. Decreased consumption of malt for such purposes would have a positive influence on the sustainability of brewing. Torrefaction was performed at temperatures ranging between 180 °C and 300 °C, with a residence time between 20 and 60 min. For the most severe torrefaction conditions (300 °C, 60 min), the higher heating value of torrefied BSG reached 25 MJ/kg. However, the best beer colouring properties were achieved for mild torrefaction conditions, i.e., 180 °C for 60 min and 210 °C for 40 min, reaching European Brewery Convention colours of 145 and 159, respectively. From the solid fuel properties perspective, the improvements offered by torrefaction in such mild conditions were modest. Overall, the obtained results suggest some trade-off between the optimum colouring properties and optimum solid fuel properties that need to be considered when such dual-purpose torrefaction of BSG for brewery purposes is implemented.

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Comprehensive Characterization of Secondary Metabolites from Colebrookea oppositifolia (Smith) Leaves from Nepal and Assessment of Cytotoxic Effect and Anti-Nf-κB and AP-1 Activities In Vitro

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21144897 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (14) ◽

pp. 4897

Author(s):

Gregorio Peron ◽

Jan Hošek ◽

Ganga Prasad Phuyal ◽

Dharma Raj Kandel ◽

Rameshwar Adhikari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Full Potential ◽

Phytochemical Screening ◽

Cytotoxic Compounds ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Potential Use ◽

Comprehensive Characterization

Here we report the comprehensive characterization of the secondary metabolites from the leaves of Colebrookea oppositifolia Smith, a species used as medicinal plant in the traditional medicine of Nepal. Phytochemical screening of bioactives was performed using an integrated LC-MSn and high resolution MS (Mass Spectrometry) approach. Forty-three compounds were tentatively identified, mainly aglyconic and glycosilated flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as other bioactives such as coumarins and terpenes were detected. Furthermore, the NF-κB and AP-1 inhibitory activity of C. oppositifolia extract were evaluated, as well as its cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells, in order to assess the potential use of this herb as a source of anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic compounds. The results so far obtained indicate that C. oppositifolia leaves extract could significantly reduce the viability of THP-1 cells (IC50 = 6.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL), as well as the activation of both NF-κB and AP-1 at the concentration of 2 μg/mL. Our results indicate that Nepalese C. oppositifolia is a valuable source of anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic compounds. The phytochemical composition reported here can partially justify the traditional uses of C. oppositifolia in Nepal, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, although further research will be needed to assess the full potential of this species.

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