Comparison of Different d-SPE Sorbent Performances Based on Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) Methodology for Multiresidue Pesticide Analyses in Rapeseeds

Pesticide extraction in rapeseed samples remains a great analytical challenge due to the complexity of the matrix, which contains proteins, fatty acids, high amounts of triglycerides and cellulosic fibers. An HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantification of 179 pesticides in rapeseeds. The performances of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method were evaluated using different dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) sorbents containing common octadecylsilane silica/primary–secondary amine adsorbent (PSA/C18) and new commercialized d-SPE materials dedicated to fatty matrices (Z-Sep, Z-Sep+, and EMR-Lipid). The analytical performances of these different sorbents were compared according to the SANTE/12682/2019 document. The best results were obtained using EMR-Lipid in terms of pesticide average recoveries (103 and 70 of the 179 targeted pesticides exhibited recoveries within 70–120% and 30–70%, respectively, with low RSD values). Moreover, the limits of quantification (LOQ) range from 1.72 µg/kg to 6.39 µg/kg for 173 of the pesticides. Only the recovery for tralkoxydim at 10 μg/kg level was not satisfactory (29%). The matrix effect was evaluated and proved to be limited between −50% and 50% for 169 pesticides with this EMR-Lipid and freezing. GC-Orbitrap analyses confirmed the best efficiency of the EMR-Lipid sorbent for the purification of rapeseeds.

Valorisation of Bagasse Cane by-Product: Effect of Cellulosic Fibers and Coupling Agent on Thermal, Mechanical and Rheological Behaviours of Reinforced Polypropylene

Recently more attentions are growing every day towards the valorisation of industrial by-product especially those generated through agriculture and food industries, as the demands of bio-based resources for the necessary transition from fossil hydrocarbon sources to natural based products are increasing. This paper focuses on the potential effect of chemical treatments and modification as well as fibers loading on the thermal, mechanical, and rheological behaviour of reinforced Polypropylene (PP). During this work, fibers were prepared using alkali and bleaching treatments and then characterized using different analysis such SEM, X-ray, FT-IR and TGA/DTG. The composite materials were elaborated using twin-screw extrusion followed by injection molding by mixing PP with 5 to 10 Wt.% of raw bagasse cane (RBC), alkali bagasse cane (ABC) and bleached cellulose microfibers (BCM) as well as cellulose microfibers with Styrene-(ethylene-butene)-styrene three-block co-polymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) as coupling agent. The result achieved from this study shows that the use of different type of fibers led to significant decrease in thermal degradation of PP. The mechanical results show a significant improvement in Yung’s modulus, tensile strength and hardness of the reinforced PP compared to neat PP. However, a remarkable decrease was obtained in elongation at break and toughness for all reinforced composites compared to neat PP. Besides, higher and low torsion modulus was obtained for PP reinforced with BCM and SEBS-g-MA-BCM, respectively.Statement of Novelty: This study aims to valorise bagasse sugar cane by-product as a lignocellulosic source for the isolation of cellulose fibers. Innovative composite materials were prepared based on polypropylene.

Beneficial effect of gelatin on iron gall ink corrosion

Iron gall Inks corrosion causes paper degradation (browning, embrittlement) and treatments were developed to tackle this issue. They often include resizing with gelatin to reinforce the paper and its cellulosic fibers (of diameter approx. 10 µm). This work aimed at measuring the distribution of ink components at the scale of individual paper fibers so as to give a better understanding of the impact of gelatin (re-)sizing on iron gall ink corrosion. For this purpose, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) was used at the Canadian light source synchrotron (CLS, Saskatoon). This technique combines nano-scale mapping (resolution of 30 nm) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) analysis. Fe L-edge measurements enabled to map iron distribution and to locate iron(II) and iron(III) rich areas. N K-edge measurement made it possible to map gelatin distribution. C K-edge measurements allowed mapping and discrimination of cellulose, gallic acid, iron gall ink precipitate and gelatin. Three fibers were studied: an inked fiber with no size, a sized fiber that was afterwards inked and an inked fiber sprayed with gelatin. Analysis of gelatin and ink ingredients distribution indicated a lower amount of iron inside the treated cellulosic fiber, which may explain the beneficial effect of gelatin on iron gall ink corrosion.

Formic acid pulping process of rice straw for manufacturing of cellulosic fibers with silica

Emerging technology has the potential to develop entirely new approaches for producing cellulose fiber-based materials along with fuels and chemical raw materials like lignin and furfural. Rice straw is a rich source of cellulosic fibers and inorganic micronic-sized particles termed as ash. They can prove helpful in development of new or enhanced agricultural residue-based materials and products that offer cost effective substitutes for nonrenewable materials used in different domestic and industrial applications. Lignocellulose is an abundant material that is submicronic at the basic level. Rice straw is a fibrous lignocellulosic material obtained as agricultural residue, but it differs from most crop residues in its high content of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Ash content on a dry weight basis ranges from 13% to 20%, varying according to the state of conservation of the straw after harvest. The ash in rice straw has nearly 75% SiO2. The particle size analysis shows variation from few microns to hundreds of microns for inorganic residues left after burning at high temperatures above 550°C. Proximate analysis of rice straw shows that it contains 54% to 56% holocellulose and 15% to 18% lignin, both of which are natural biopolymers. The compound analysis shows the different compounds present in rice straw ash. Rice straw is available in hundreds of million tons in India and other Asian countries, so suitable technologies are required to convert rice straw from a biomass waste to useful bioproducts like pulp, paper, and paperboard. This research paper is intended to obtain pulp with fibers having inherent silica present in it to give high opacity paper and better bonding between fibers.