Biobased Composites by Photoinduced Polymerization of Cardanol Methacrylate with Microfibrillated Cellulose

Biobased monomers and green processes are key to producing sustainable materials. Cardanol, an aromatic compound obtained from cashew nut shells, may be conveniently functionalized, e.g., with epoxy or (meth)acrylate groups, to replace petroleum-based monomers. Photoinduced polymerization is recognized as a sustainable process, less energy intensive than thermal curing; however, cardanol-based UV-cured polymers have relatively low thermomechanical properties, making them mostly suitable as reactive diluents or in non-structural applications such as coatings. It is therefore convenient to combine them with biobased reinforcements, such as microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), to obtain composites with good mechanical properties. In this work a cardanol-based methacrylate monomer was photopolymerized in the presence of MFC to yield self-standing, flexible, and relatively transparent films with high thermal stability. The polymerization process was completed within few minutes even in the presence of filler, and the cellulosic filler was not affected by the photopolymerization process.

Bioactive components of two species of locally grown nuts: Their potential health benefits and implications for healthy living

Background: Bioactive compounds are naturally occurring compounds in plants and animal products. They are known to have a variety of physiological functions in the body system such as: promoting general body development and prevention of the occurrence of some deadly diseases. The high burden of treatment of some deadly diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases has raised the need for scientists to generate empirical evidence on preventing these diseases using a dietary approach. Nuts have been identified as plants with potential to improve human health and prevent diseases when consumed adequately because of their rich constituents. This research work was conducted to evaluate and elucidate the bioactive components of locally grown nuts and their potential health benefits. Methods: The Phenolic compounds, phytosterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols contents of the nuts were analyzed using standard methods. Results: Fourteen phenolic compounds were detected in the two nuts with cinnamic and gallic acids detected in appreciable amounts in groundnuts and caffeic acid in cashew nut. The total amount of tocopherols in cashew nut was 14.08 mg/100g and 37.95 mg/100g in groundnut and the total tocotrienol was 0.85 and 4.00 × 10-3 mg/100g for cashew nut and groundnut respectively. Both samples have high quantity of sistosterol (251.36mg/100g and 238.95 mg/ 100g for cashew nut and groundnut respectively) with cashew nut having significantly higher amount. Conclusion: The results showed that the nuts are rich in bioactive compounds and could be considered as natural sources of bioactive compounds that can be obtained from diets rich in these nuts to prevent the occurrence of certain deadly human diseases that are of high burden worldwide. Keywords: Phenolic Compounds, Tocopherols, Groundnuts, Cashew nuts

Evaluation of Novel Plant-derived Monomers-based Pretreatment on Bonding to Sound and Caries-affected Dentin

SUMMARY This study evaluated the influence of new monomers derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) applied for dentin biomodification on resin–dentin bond strength, nanoleakage, and micropermeability to sound and artificially-created caries-affected dentin. Human dentin specimens were assigned to five groups, according to the following dentin pretreatment solutions: Absolute ethanol (control), 2 wt% grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera), 2 wt% cardol [from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL)], 2 wt% cardol-methacrylate or 2 wt% cardanol-methacrylate applied on sound and artificial caries-affected dentin. Specimens were analyzed after 24 hour or 1 year of water storage. Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) (n=6), interface micropermeability (n=3), and silver nanoleakage (n=6) were assessed using a universal testing machine, confocal laser scanning microscope, and scanning electron microscope, respectively. In sound dentin, no difference in bond strength was observed between the groups in either storage period. In artificial caries-affected dentin, pretreatment with cardol-methacrylate resulted in statistically higher bond strength than all the other treatments in both storage periods. Cardol-methacrylate treatment resulted in less nanoleakage, along with improved interfacial integrity, compared to further treatments in artificial caries-affected dentin. Regarding micropermeability analysis, all treatments depicted deficient sealing ability when applied on artificial caries-affected dentin, with the presence of gaps in the control group. In conclusion, cardol-methacrylate is a promising plant-derived monomer to reinforce the hybrid layer, since it preserved resin–dentin bond strength and improved dentin bonding, especially to caries-affected dentin, a well-known harsh substrate for adhesion longevity.

Control effectiveness of APL formulation against dengue- and Zika-transmitting Aedes mosquitoes in Gia Lai province, Vietnam

Background: Dengue fever and Zika are two of the Aedes-borne diseases. Despite being widely used, synthetic mosquitocides become abortive for the mosquito control due to growing resistance and environmental pollution. In Gia Lai province (dengue-endemic area), a huge amount of cashew nut shell waste with roughly 100,000 tons/year has been disposed of into the environment, potentiating a high risk of pollution. Methodology/Principal findings: To utilize it, anacardic acid was extracted and combined it with ethanol extract of the local lime peel, which contains limonene, to generate APL formulation. APL robustly exhibited inhibition of egg hatching, larvicidal effect, and repellent effect against female mosquitoes from oviposition sites in the laboratory and field. The results showed that, at a dose of 12.5 ppm, the APL formulation after 24 hours of treatment demonstrated oviposition deterrence against Ae. aegypti (43.6%) and Ae. albopictus (59.6%); inhibited egg hatching of Ae. aegypti (49.6%) and Ae. albopictus (59.6%); caused larval lethality in Ae. aegypti (LC 50 = 9.5 ppm, LC 90 = 21 ppm) and Ae. albopictus (LC 50 = 7.6 ppm, LC 90 = 18 ppm). Under natural field conditions, it showed a 100% reduction in larval density after 48 and 72 hours of the APL treatment at a tested concentration of 120 mg a.i./m 2 and maintained a mortality rate of 100% in the next 14 days. Conclusions/Significance: The APL formulation is promisingly to become an environmentally friendly and highly effective biological product for future management programs of dengue and Zika-transmitting vectors. Here offer prospects in controlling critical illnesses transmitted by several mosquito species in dengue-endemic areas.

Development of Sustainable Chemistry in Madagascar: Example of the Valuation of CNSL and the Use of Chromones as an Attractant for Mosquitoes

This article describes a part of the results obtained from the cooperation between the University of Lyon1 (France) and the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar). It shows (among others) that useful research can be carried out in developing countries of the tropics if their social, technical, and economic conditions are taken into account. The concepts and methods associated with so-called “green chemistry” are particularly appropriated for this purpose. To illustrate this approach, two examples are shown. The first deals with industrial ecology and concerns waste transformation from the production of cashew nut into an amphiphilic product, oxyacetic derivatives. This product was obtained with a high yield and in a single step reaction. It exhibited an important surfactant property similar to those of the main fossil-based ones but with a much lower ecological impact. The second talks about chemical ecology as an alternative to insecticides and used to control dangerous mosquito populations. New substituted chromones were synthesized and showed biological activities toward Aedes albopictus mosquito species. Strong repellent properties were recorded for some alkoxylated products if others had a significant attractant effect (Kairomone) depending on their stereochemistry and the length of the alkyl chain.

A Case Study of Cashew Industry in Karnataka

Purpose: In the Indian food processing sector, the cashew nut processing industry plays a critical role. Often, the cashew is considered as ‘both a poor person’s crop and a rich person’s meal.’ From the cultivators, traders, wholesalers, processors to supermarkets and retailers, the cashew processing sector is a vital source of income. Cashew processing is a labour-intensive sector that has always employed a significant number of rural women. The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the Cashew Processing Sector, its position in the world market, issues it is confronting and future prospects. While doing so, the present study attempts to examine the profile of the Indian Cashew Industry, including cashew processing and international trade. The quality, flavour and appearance of the Indian cashew kernels are highly respected in other nations and are consumed in more than 60 countries worldwide. Unfortunately, it was found that cashew production in India has been fluctuating in recent years. Despite its tremendous expansion, India’s cashew sector has been affected by low-quality cashew cultivated in some regions, which is mostly due to improper harvesting techniques, inadequate drying of the nuts and insufficient storage and warehouse facilities for dried cashew nuts. Design: For the purpose of analysis, this study used secondary data sources - Google Scholar articles, cashew industry and other related websites. Moreover, the literature is used to analyse the position of the industry within SWOC and PESTLE framework analysis. Findings: Based on the analysis, the cashew business needs certain incentives to attain a better rate of production and export growth in the future. Value: This paper emphases on the growth of the cashew industry in India in relation to its current status and future opportunities. Based on findings and their interpretation, the Indian Cashew Industry must prepare itself for the ever-increasing demand of the domestic market and contribute more effectively to the country’s economic growth. Paper Type: Case Study-based Research Analysis