Mechanical Extraction of Neem Seed Kernel (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) Harvesting in Ninh Thuan, Viet Nam by Using Hydraulic Pressing: Effect of Processing Parameters

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) oil has been widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The oil was extracted by the hydraulic press at the pilot scale. The effect of various critical factors such as the morphology of material, moisture of the neem seed, applied pressure, a number of presses turn, pressing time on the oil yield was considered. It was found that the oil yield increased with increasing applied pressure and pressing time. The moisture content of the neem seed kernel has a great influence on the oil yield, the higher the moisture content, the harder it is to recover the oil. The highest oil yield of 378mL/kg dry seed kernel was obtained at 190 MPa, 4% moisture content for 10 minutes of pressing per turn, and 3 turns of pressing. The main ingredients in neem kernel oil were oleic acid (45.9%), stearic acid (18%), palmitic acid (16.9%), and linoleic acid (15.65%). The results obtained can be used in the production of Neem oil at an industrial scale.

Rapid, Simple and Inexpensive Fabrication of Paper-Based Analytical Devices by Parafilm® Hot Pressing

Paper-based analytical devices have been substantially developed in recent decades. Many fabrication techniques for paper-based analytical devices have been demonstrated and reported. Herein, we report a relatively rapid, simple, and inexpensive method for fabricating paper-based analytical devices using parafilm hot pressing. We studied and optimized the effect of the key fabrication parameters, namely pressure, temperature, and pressing time. We discerned the optimal conditions, including a pressure of 3.8 MPa, temperature of 80 °C, and 3 min of pressing time, with the smallest hydrophobic barrier size (821 µm) being governed by laminate mask and parafilm dispersal from pressure and heat. Physical and biochemical properties were evaluated to substantiate the paper functionality for analytical devices. The wicking speed in the fabricated paper strips was slightly lower than that of non-processed paper, resulting from a reduced paper pore size after hot pressing. A colorimetric immunological assay was performed to demonstrate the protein binding capacity of the paper-based device after exposure to pressure and heat from the fabrication. Moreover, mixing in a two-dimensional paper-based device and flowing in a three-dimensional counterpart were thoroughly investigated, demonstrating that the paper devices from this fabrication process are potentially applicable as analytical devices for biomolecule detection. Fast, easy, and inexpensive parafilm hot press fabrication presents an opportunity for researchers to develop paper-based analytical devices in resource-limited environments.

Rapid, Simple and Inexpensive Fabrication of Paper-based Analytical Devices by Parafilm® Hot Pressing

Paper-based analytical devices have been substantially developed in recent decades. Many fabrication techniques for paper-based analytical devices have been demonstrated and reported. Herein we report a relatively rapid, simple, and inexpensive method for fabricating paper-based analytical devices using parafilm hot pressing. We studied and optimized the effect of the key fabrication parameters, namely pressure, temperature, and pressing time. We discerned the optimal conditions, including pressure of 3.8 MPa (3 tons), temperature of 80oC, and 3 minutes of pressing time, with the smallest hydrophobic barrier size (821 µm) being governed by laminate mask and parafilm dispersal from pressure and heat. Physical and biochemical properties were evaluated to substantiate the paper functionality for analytical devices. Wicking speed in the fabricated paper strips was slightly slower than that of non-processed paper, resulting from reducing paper pore size. A colorimetric immunological assay was performed to demonstrate the protein binding capacity of the paper-based device after exposure to pressure and heat from the fabrication. Moreover, mixing in two-dimensional paper-based device and flowing in a three-dimensional counterpart were thoroughly investigated, demonstrating that the paper device from this fabrication process is potentially applicable as analytical devices for biomolecule detection. Fast, easy, and inexpensive parafilm hot press fabrication presents an opportunity for researchers to develop paper-based analytical devices in resource-limited environments.

Lignosulphonates as an Alternative to Non-Renewable Binders in Wood-Based Materials

Lignin is a widely abundant renewable source of phenolic compounds. Despite the growing interest on using it as a substitute for its petroleum-based counterparts, only 1 to 2% of the global lignin production is used for obtaining value-added products. Lignosulphonates (LS), derived from the sulphite pulping process, account for 90% of the total market of commercial lignin. The most successful industrial attempts to use lignin for wood adhesives are based on using this polymer as a partial substitute in phenol-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde resins. Alternatively, formaldehyde-free adhesives with lignin and lignosulphonates have also been developed with promising results. However, the low number of reactive sites available in lignin’s aromatic ring and high polydispersity have hindered its application in resin synthesis. Currently, finding suitable crosslinkers for LS and decreasing the long pressing time associated with lignin adhesives remains a challenge. Thus, several methods have been proposed to improve the reactivity of lignin molecules. In this paper, techniques to extract, characterize, as well as improve the reactivity of LS are addressed. The most recent advances in the application of LS in wood adhesives, with and without combination with formaldehyde, are also reviewed.

RNA-extraction-free diagnostic method to detect SARS-CoV-2: an assessment from two States, India

With increasing demand for large numbers of testing during COVID-19 pandemic, came alternative protocols with shortened turn-around time. We evaluated the performance of such an approach wherein 1138 consecutive clinic attendees were enrolled; 584 and 554 respectively from two independent study sites in the cities of Pune and Kolkata. Paired nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were tested by using both reference and index methods in blinded fashion. Prior to conducting RT-PCR, swabs collected in viral transport medium (VTM) were processed for RNA extraction (reference method) and swabs collected in dry tube without VTM were incubated in Tris-EDTA-Proteinase K buffer for 30 minutes and heat inactivated at 98oC for 6 minutes (index method). Overall sensitivity and specificity of the index method were 78.9% (95% CI 71% to 86%) and 99 % (95% CI 98% to 99.6%) respectively. Agreement between the index and reference method was 96.8 % (k = 0.83, SE=0.030). The reference method exhibited enhanced detection of viral genes (E, N and RdRP) with lower Ct values compared to the index method. The index method can be used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection with appropriately chosen primer-probe set and heat treatment approach in pressing time; low sensitivity constrains its potential wider use.

El queso tradicional ranchero Jarocho: un estudio multidisciplinario aplicando un enfoque de la tipicidad

The objective was to integrate the information of the local milk production system, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the milk; elaboration process, and physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of cheese to establish its typicity. The manufacturing of the cheese in most of the dairies studied has registered the operation of three generations of families. Variability in their chemical composition, microbiological, colour, texture and sensory was related with time and number of turns during the pressing, amount of added salt and vegetal fat. Cheeses with less pressing time had higher moisture content and less protein and fat content. The bacterial counts were related to milk quality tests, training courses and material of containers. These factors also affected the hardness of the cheese. Those with added vegetable fat and with high salt content had the highest hardness. The Hue angle (h°) of the cheeses indicated a tonality close to yellow (90°). Difference in chromaticity (C*) can be related to the use of vegetable fat. Cheeses with higher moisture content were brighter (L*) and had less color saturation. The sensory evaluation showed that the most typical cheeses were perceived in the attributes as salty, milk aroma, and serum and milking smell. Applying sanitation measures of milk collection, good cheese manufacturing practices and avoiding the addition of vegetable fat, it could be possibly getting a legal-commercial protection of the ranchero Jarocho cheese.

EFFECTS OF HOT PRESSING PARAMETERS ON THE PROPERTIES OF HARDBOARDS PRODUCED FROM MIXED HARDWOOD TREE SPECIES

In this work, wet-process fibreboards (hardboards) were produced in the laboratory using industrial wood fibres of the species European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) at the total volume of 40%, and white poplar (Populus alba L.) at 60% volume. The effects of hot pressing pressure (varied from 3.3 MPa to 5.3 MPa) and pressing time (from 255 s to 355 s) on the physical and mechanical properties of hardboards were investigated and optimal values of the parameters for fulfilling the European standard requirements were determined. It was concluded that hardboards with acceptable physical and mechanical properties may be produced from 60% poplar wood waste and residues, combined with 40% hardwood raw materials (beech and oak) by regulating the hot pressing regime only, i.e. pressure and pressing time. The following minimum parameters for producing hardboards from mixed hardwood tree species were determined: a pressure of 4.6 MPa and a pressing time of 280 s.

Experimental substantiation of method for increasing fire protection of wood composites with secondary polyethylene tereftalate

The expediency of involvement of the waste in the production of composite materials in the form of secondary polyethylene terephthalate is shown. The results of the experimental researches for justification of technological regimes of production of wood-polymer composite possessing the required thermal and water resistance are presented. The way of its flammability reduction by means of introduction of fire retardant into the binder composition is offered. In the course of experimental studies on increasing fire protection of wood composites with the addition of secondary polyethylene terephthalate, mathematical models reflecting the relationship of controllable factors (specific pressing time, the share of flame retardant addition) and operational indicators of the composite (strength, water and fire resistance) were obtained. Statistical processing of the experimental results confirmed the homogeneity of dispersions of all output values and the adequacy of the obtained mathematical models of the wood composite production process. It was shown that 17 % aluminochromophosphate introduced into the composite at a specific pressing time of 0,53 min/mm ensures a water-resistant composite with the required bending strength and weight loss during the fire action, corresponding to the flammability class G1. It is concluded that a further increase in the specific pressing time is inexpedient because the strength of the wood-polymer composite decreases due to destructive phenomena caused by prolonged heating of the wood component, and the release of a vapor-gas mixture from the aluminochromophosphate. The reduction to a minimum of — 4,8 % of the swelling of the composite in thickness for 2 hours at such a pressing duration was established. The recommendations for technological parameters of the production process, providing obtaining of composite with polyethylene terephthalate additive with the necessary physical and mechanical indicators and reduced loss of mass during combustion were developed.

Dielectric Properties of Upside-Down SrTiO3/Li2MoO4 Composites Fabricated at Room Temperature

In this paper, ceramic upside-down lithium molybdate-strontium titanate (LMO-ST) composites fabricated at room temperature are described. Room temperature fabrication (RTF) is a promising alternative to the time- and energy-consuming high-temperature sintering of electroceramics, which involves mixing of the initial phases, molding with a steel dye, pressing, and drying, while in the last two phases the action of densification takes place. The LMO-ST composites are based on a high ratio of filler ST, coupled with the corresponding LMO binder. Part of the binder is admixed to the ceramic particles and additional part is added as a saturated aqueous solution, which crystallizes during pressing and drying, leading to its deposition on the surface of the filler particles. As a result, sufficient binding with 76–84% relative density was achieved. The deeper insight into the method was provided by various processing aspects and corresponding microstructural investigations. The particle size distribution, pressure, pressing time, ultrasonic treatment, drying time and processing conditions were optimized to obtain improved functional properties of the LMO-ST composites. The results of this study with relative permittivity in the range of 65–78 and dielectric loss tangent values of 0.002–0.05 can attract considerable attention for the use of LMO-ST composites in the industry of electroceramics.

Studying the Performance of Composites Based on Thermally Modified and UV-Treated Wood

To enhance the quality of wood and extend its industrial applications, various methods of wood modification are being developed. It is well known that the thermal treatment of wood may considerably enhance its moisture resistance, reduce its hygroscopicity, and increase its rot proofing. However, reducing the absorptive capacity of wood adversely affects the process of obtaining wood-based composites. Pressure and pressing time increase, which finally increases the cost of the end product. Thus, this study represents the research in how ultraviolet exposure affects the physical properties of wood that has been pre-treated thermally, followed by obtaining a composite. An experimental wood-modifying facility has been developed. We have considered the process of the moisture absorption of the material that has been exposed to thermal modification and UV-radiation. From the experiments conducted, we have found that the UV exposure of wood samples causes an increase in the surface wettability of the thermally modified material. It is found that the most active process of surficial inactivation runs within 60-90 minutes of the UV-exposure of wood. Post-treatment does not result in any considerable changes in the surface wettability. This treatment promotes the increasing adhesion of water-borne binders to the material surface in developing high-strength composites based on modified wood.