From unavoidable food waste to advanced biomaterials: microfibrilated lignocellulose production by microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of cassava peel and almond hull

Lignocellulose based nanomaterials are emerging green biosolids commonly obtained from wood pulp. Alternative feedstocks, such as as unavoidable food waste, are interesting resources for nano/microfibers. This research reports the production and characterization of microfibrillated lignocellulose (MFLC) from cassava peel (CP) and almond hull (AH) via acid-free microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment (MHT) at different temperatures (120–220 °C). During processing, the structural changes were tracked by ATR-IR, TGA, XRD, 13C CPMAS NMR, zeta potential, HPLC, elemental analysis (CHN; carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen), TEM and SEM analyses. The microwave processing temperature and nature of feedstock exerted a significant influence on the yields and properties of the MFLCs produced. The MFLC yields from CP and AH shifted by 15–49% and 31–73%, respectively. Increasing the MHT temperature substantially affected the crystallinity index (13–66% for CP and 36–62% for AH) and thermal stability (300–374 °C for CP and 300–364 °C for AH) of the MFLCs produced. This suggested that the MFLC from CP is more fragile and brittle than that produced from AH. These phenomena influenced the gelation capabilities of the fibers. AH MFLC pretreated with ethanol at low temperature gave better film-forming capabilities, while untreated and heptane pretreated materials formed stable hydrogels at solid concentration (2% w/v). At high processing temperatures, the microfibrils were separated into elementary fibers, regardless of pretreatment or feedstock type. Given these data, this work demonstrates that the acid-free MHT processing of CP and AH is a facile method for producing MFLC with potential applications, including adsorption, packaging and the production of nanocomposites and personal care rheology modifiers. Graphic abstract

Microalgal-based feed: promising alternative feedstocks for livestock and poultry production

There is an immediate need to identify alternative sources of high-nutrient feedstocks for domestic livestock production and poultry, not only to support growing food demands but also to produce microalgae-source functional foods with multiple health benefits. Various species of microalgae and cyanobacteria are used to supplement existing feedstocks. In this review, microalgae have been defined as a potential feedstock for domestic animals due to their abundance of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins, and other high-value products. Additionally, the positive physiological effects on products of animals fed with microalgal biomass have been compiled and recommendations are listed to enhance the assimilation of biomolecules in ruminant and nonruminant animals, which possess differing digestive systems. Furthermore, the role of microalgae as prebiotics is also discussed. With regards to large scale cultivation of microalgae for use as feed, many economic trade-offs must be considered such as the selection of strains with desired nutritional properties, cultivation systems, and steps for downstream processing. These factors are highlighted with further investigations needed to reduce the overall costs of cultivation. Finally, this review outlines the pros and cons of utilizing microalgae as a supplementary feedstock for poultry and cattle, existing cultivation strategies, and the economics of large-scale microalgal production.

Furfural – A versatile, biomass-derived platform chemical for the production for renewable chemicals

For years, fossil fuels have been the predominant feedstock for the production of chemicals, resulting in their overexploitation and widespread environmental degradation, prompting a search for alternative feedstocks. In this...

Comparative Study of Methods of Chemical Modification of Dehydrated Castor oil for Synthesis of Biolubricant

Vegetable oil blends are the emerging alternative feedstocks, which are being used to synthesize environment friendly lubricants. This work focuses on the Comparison of the methods of chemical modification, which are used for the biolubricant synthesis and also compares the resultant behaviour characterized on their thermal stability and viscosity. The biolubricant products are synthesized using two chemical modification methods. Method 1: Epoxidation of vegetable oil followed by transesterification of epoxidized oil. Method 2: Preparation of methyl esters (Transesterification) followed by epoxidation of methyl esters. Biolubricant derived from method 1 shows better thermal stability (Tonset = 338 ºC) compared to method 2 (Tonset = 205 ºC). The viscosity indices and pour point values of the products were found to be 222; 4.6 ºC and 216; 6.0 ºC, respectively. Thus, the biolubricant derived from first method showed better physio-chemical properties and were comparable and a blend of non edible oil and waste cooking oil acts as potential basestock for biolubricant synthesis.