Optimization and Characterization of Novel and Non-Edible Seed Oil Sources for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel mainly comes from edible oil, and there is little research on its yield from non-edible sources with low-cost oil. It is paramount to investigate the non-edible oil resources which may lead to advance the commercial feasibility of biodiesel and cost effectiveness as well as resolve the food issues. This chapter describes four novel non-edible seed oil sources comprising Koelreuteria paniculata, Rhus typhina, Acacia farnesiana and Albizzia julibrissin for biodiesel production. We aimed to optimize different reaction parameters for oil extraction, alkali-catalyzed transesterification process for maximal biodiesel production and finally evaluate its compatibility with mineral diesel. The optimization factors in transesterification included the molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction time, stirring intensity, catalyst concentration and temperature. Two methods have been described including Soxhlet and mechanical for extraction of seed oil. The synthesized esters were evaluated and characterized through the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR; 1H and 13C), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the total conversion of crude oil to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were established. The inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Elemental Analyzer (EA) were used for evaluation of elemental concentration. The physico-chemical characterizations of the biodiesel, i.e., flash point, pour point, cloud point, and density were within the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM; D6751) and European Standards ((EN14214). Koelreuteria paniculata produced highest biodiesel oil content by Soxhlet extraction (28–30%) followed by the Albizzia julibrissin (19–24%), Acacia farnesiana (23%), Rhus typhina (20–22%). The density ranged from 0.83–0.87 @ 15°C (g/cm3) and the kinematic viscosity ranged from 3.75–6.3 (mm2/s) among all the plant sources. Koelreuteria paniculata had highest Na (5456.2), Cr (1246.8), Ni (658.36), and Al (346.87) elemental concentrations (μg/g) than other plant sources. The elemental percent of C, H, N, and O of biodiesel ranged from 72.54–76.86, 11.25–13.34, 1.97–2.73, and 9.86–12, respectively. In conclusion, these non-edible plant seeds offer a cheap source of renewable energy and can be easily grown on barren and wastelands and contribute to efficient biodiesel production to mitigate the energy crisis.

Chemical Constituents from Albiziae Cortex and Their Ability to Ameliorate Steatosis and Promote Proliferation and Anti-oxidation In Vitro

This study describes the chemical constituents of Albiziae Cortex and their ability to ameliorate steatosis and promote proliferation and anti-oxidation in vitro. Together, five known lignan glycosides, (7S,8R)-erythro-syringylglycerol-β–O-4′-sinapyl ether 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)-lyoniresinol-9′-O-gluco-side (2), (−)-lyoniresinol-9′-O-glucoside (3), picraquassioside C (4), and icariside E5 (5), were isolated from the Albiziae Cortex. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis and compared with reported data. Oil Red O staining results revealed that compounds 1, 2, and 3 attenuated lipid accumulation and lipid metabolic disorders in FFAs (oleate/palmitate, 2:1 ratio, 0.3 mM)-exposed HepG2 cells. The Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay results revealed that compounds 1 and 5 can significantly promote human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation; meanwhile, these compounds did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity against HUVECs. In addition, 2‘,7‘-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining results revealed that high glucose (HG)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was abolished by compounds 1, 2, and 3. This is the first report of the isolation of lignan skeletons from the genus Albizzia julibrissin with the ability to ameliorate steatosis and promote proliferation and anti-oxidation activities.

Vertical variation of density, flexural strength and stiffness of Persian silk wood

El objeto de esta onvestigación fue estudiar los efectos de la posición en dirección longitudinal (altura del tronco) y del duramen y la albura sobre la densidad, el módulo de elasticidad (MOE) y el módulo de ruptura (MOR) en flexión para la madera de ‘seda’ persa (Albizzia julibrissin). Se recolectaron cinco árboles representativos de la región de Guilan, Irán. Se elaboraron especímenes para prueba a cuatro niveles de la altura del árbol (5%, 25%, 50% y 75% de la altura total del tronco) en ambos tipos de madera en la dirección radial (duramen y albura). Los resultados de los análisis de varianza (Andeva) indicaron que los efectos de la ubicación longitudinal (altura del árbol) y duramen y albura sobre la densidad de la madera, el MOE y el MOR fueron significativos. Los valores promedio de la densidad, MOE y MOR a lo largo de la posición longitudinal de la base a la copa disminuyeron con la altura. Los valores promedio de la densidad, MOR y MOE en albura son menores comparados con los del duramen. La relación entre la densidad de la madera y las propiedades mecánicas se analizaron por medio de modelos de regresión. Se encontró una correlación positive entre la densidad de la madera con MOE y MOR tanto en duramen como en albura.