CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BARK COMPOUNDS FROM CAATINGA SPECIES

This study aimed to chemically characterize the bark extracts from three tree species: Anacardium occidentale L., Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth., in addition to obtaining the soluble extract content in water, alcohol and hexane from the bark of these species. The bark was collected from branches of the three species and subsequently pre-dried and milled. The extract content was then determined using the Sohxlet method aiming to quantify the total extractives in the samples, and determine the extract content soluble in water, ethyl alcohol and hexane. The extracts were further analyzed by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis to determine their chemical composition. The extract contents in the three species behaved in a similar way, with hexane being the solvent which extracted more compounds and juazeiro the species that displayed the highest total extract content. With the chemical characterization of the extracts, it was possible to identify the presence of functional groups characteristic of carbohydrates and proteins in the aqueous extracts; the presence of characteristic hydroxyl group, for example in alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and ethers in the ethanolic extracts; and the presence of fatty acids and aromatic compounds (essential oils) in hexanolic extracts. The essential oils were the compounds which presented larger quantities, and can be exploited by the pharmaco-chemical industry.

On the basic chemical composition of selected biomass types from four regions of Mexico, for bioenergetic purposes

The chemical composition of hardwoods sawdust and citrus residues from four states of the Mexican Republic (Quintana Roo, Durango, Veracruz, and Sonora) were determined. The results ranged as follows: total extractives from 8.2% (Quercus spp.) to 35.0% (lime leaves), holocellulose from 45.4% (lime leaves) to 70.6% (Lysiloma latisiliquum), lignin from 3.9% (lemon peels) at 25.4% (Caesalpinia platyloba), ash from 0.4% (orange branches) to 6.3% (lemon peels), pH from 5.1 (Swartzia cubensis) to 7.3 (orange branches), and calorific value of 19.8 MJ/kg (Lysiloma latisiliquum and Quercus spp.) to 21.7 MJ/kg (Olneya tesota). With the exception of the oak samples, in all the biomass samples the extractives content is relatively high (10.1% for Lysiloma latisiliquum to 35% for Persian lime leaves), and could represent a potential for future study and applications in the field of antioxidants. Due to the chemical properties and calorific value, the biomass samples studied present potential for local use as densified biofuels (pellets or briquettes).

Aspects of applying the method of chemical mutagenesis to develop cultivars of Calendula officinalis L

Background. The need for continuous breeding practice to develop new varieties of Calendula officinalisL. is induced by the accumulation of low-grade morphotypes in the already existing cultivars as a result of crosspollination.Materials and methods. Seeds selected from high-yielding biotypes of cv. ‘Kalta’ were treated with various mutagens for 18 hours, using 1000 seeds for each option. The mutation rate in the M1 generation and seed quality were determined, and plant viability was assessed under field conditions. Plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of inflorescences per plant, inflorescence diameter, number of ray floret rows, and weight of one inflorescence were measured in the mass flowering phase. The yield of raw materials (fresh and air-dry biomass of inflorescences) was calculated for each harvest and for the total amount of all 7 harvests during the flowering period.Results.The mutagens DES 0,05% and DMS 0,08% turned outthe most effective for developing new source material. None of the plants produced seeds after treatment with nitrosomethyl urea (NMU0.02% ), and only one plant produced seeds after treatment with NMU 0.04% . As a result of a long-term breeding process (2009–2016), new varieties were developed on the basis of mutant generations M2–M3 : cvs. ‘Zolotoe more’ and ‘Rajskij sad’, both exceeding cv. ‘Kalta’ in the yield of inflorescences by 39 and 30%, seed yield by 48 and 49%, total extractives by 13.8 and 21.3%, and total flavonoids by 29.9% and 43.3%, respectively.Conclusion.New cultivars of C. officinalis, ‘Zolotoe more’ and ‘Rajskij sad’, were developed in accordance with the mutation breeding scheme that employed methods of chemical mutagenesis, with expanded selection of plants altered in their morphological characteristics, productivity and content of bioactive compounds in the first mutant generation and assessment of uniformity, distinctness and stability in the second and subsequent generations.

Chemical composition of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill., Agave durangensis Gentry and Pennisetum sp.

The particleboard industry faces problems of wood shortage, which has led to the use of non-wood lignocellulosic materials. Furthermore, there is also interest in looking for materials that improve their physical and mechanical properties. The species Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. (fruit), Agave durangensis Gentry (bagasse) and Pennisetum sp. (plant, leaves and stem) could be used in the elaboration of wood-based particleboards. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of using these materials to produce particleboards in accordance with their chemical composition. Five materials were studied, A. durangensis (bagasse), L. aegyptiaca (fruit) and Pennisetum sp. (whole plant, leaves and stem). Extractives, holocellulose, Runkel lignin and ash content was determined. The pH of the fibers was also measured and a microanalysis of the ash was performed. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out, in addition Tukey and Dunn tests for group comparison were performed. Pennisetum sp. leaves presented the highest total extractives and ash content, while L. aegyptiaca fruit and A. durangensis bagasse had the highest both content of holocellulose and Runkel lignin respectively. The lowest pH was presented by the L. aegyptiaca fruit, while the highest was from the Pennisetum sp. stem. The element with the greatest presence in the five materials was potassium, except in A. durangensis bagasse showing calcium. L. aegyptiaca fruit has better characteristics to be used in particleboards with greater mechanical resistance because of its higher holocellulose content. However, Pennisetum sp. (plant, leaves and stem) could be used to make particleboards with high resistance to water absorption.

Basic chemical composition of Pinus spp. sawdust from five regions of Mexico, for bioenergetic purposes

The basic chemical composition and calorific value of 19 samples of pine sawdust from different forest industries located in five states of the Mexican Republic (Chihuahua, Michoacán, Durango, Oaxaca, and Nuevo León) were determined. The results obtained ranged as follows: total extractives (6.1% to 23.4%), holocellulose (60.1% to 70.4%), lignin (20.5% to 25.8%), ash (0.27% to 0.95%), pH (4.1 to 5.3), and calorific value (20.1 MJ/kg to 21.0 MJ/kg). Except for the ash content, significant statistical differences were found according to the origin of the pine sawdust samples. Based on the results obtained, the sawdust biomass has the potential to obtain densified solid biofuels.

Calorific Power Improvement of Wood by Heat Treatment and Its Relation to Chemical Composition

Chemical composition influences the calorific power of wood, mainly due to the calorific power of structural compounds and extractives. Heat treatment changes the chemical composition of treated wood. This work studies the relationship between chemical composition and calorific power improvement by heat treatment. Samples were heat-treated by the ThermoWood process ® for 1 h and 2 h. High heating value (HHV) and chemical composition; lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and extractives in dichloromethane, ethanol, and water were determined. The HHV of untreated wood ranged between 18.54–19.92 MJ/kg and increased with heat treatment for all the tested species. A positive linear correlation was found between HHV and Klason lignin (R2 = 0.60). A negative trend was observed for holocellulose, cellulose, and hemicelluloses content against HHV, but with low determination coefficients for linear regression. The best adjust for polysaccharides was found for hemicelluloses content. A positive correlation could be found for dichloromethane extractives (R2 = 0.04). The same was obtained in relation to ethanol extractives with R2 = 0.20. For water and total extractives, no clear positive or negative trends could be achieved. The results showed that the HHV of wood increased with heat treatment and that this increase was mainly due to the increase in lignin content.

Influence of Indian cedar particle pretreatments on cement-wood composite properties

This work physically, mechanically, and chemically characterized the composites produced from Portland CP II-E32 cement and fresh Indian cedar wood particles previously treated by immersion in hot and cold water. Density values for wood particulate composites were around 50% lower compared with the wood-free control treatment, from 0.88 to 1.78 g/cm³. A larger swelling was observed for the composite material. The results of compressive strength and stiffness indicated that there is no need for particle treatment for composite production. Hot and cold water immersion treatments reduced the total Indian cedar wood extractives by 33% and 42%, respectively. Optical microscopy analysis was used to identify adhesion failures between the cement/wood interface of the composite produced with fresh particles, which presented a higher percentage of extractives. This result indicated that the greater concentration of total extractives partially inhibits the matrix-matrix interaction reinforcement. Despite the reduction in total extractives caused by the treatments, this process is not necessary for the composite production because there is no statistical difference between the treatments. The values obtained for the composite indicate the possibility of application in sealing blocks in light construction systems.

Determination of Organic Fractions and Enzymatic Activity in Forest Spruce Soil of Tatra National Park

The formation and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) highly depends on the input of organic material and microbial enzymatic activities. Soil extractions with specific nonpolar and polar extractives can be used to identify qualitative changes in SOM. The aim of this paper was to understand the correlations among microbial enzymatic activity and specific organic fractions in acidic spruce forest soil. Klason lignin (KL), acid soluble lignin (ASL), holocellulose (HC), SOM content, and potential enzymatic activity (FDA and phosphatase) was measured and analyzed. We sampled Dystric Cambisol of forest spruce stands (Picea abies) in Tatra National Park (Slovakia). The SOM fractions were determined gravimetrically based on their extractivity in nonpolar (dichloromethane (DME)) and polar (acetone (AE), ethanol (EE), water (WE)) solvents Total extractives content was 0.079% and nonpolar extractives 0.036%. The mean amount of polar extractives tented to increase in the order EE<AE<WE. The total lignin content was determined to be 1.079% and HC 0.774%. FDA negatively correlated with KL (r=-0.873 p<0.05) and DME (r=-0.913 p<0.05). Phosphatase positively correlated with WE (r=0.972 p<0.01) and KL (r=0.957 p<0.01).

Comparative Study of the Biologically Active Substances Composition and Content in Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim) Crude Herbal Drugs (Herb, Leafs, Flowers) of Russian Origin

Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (Meadowsweet) is known in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, wound-healing,astringent and antibacterial remedy. However recent studies show that it also has neurotropic activity. In Russia meadowsweet flowers are used as crude herbal drugs (temporary pharmacopoeial monograph 42-1777-87), also leafs and herb are used in the traditional medicine. Objective of the study was to carry out comparative investigation of composition and content of major biologically active compounds (BAC) in Filipendula ulmaria herb, flowers and leafs by thin-layer chromatography, differential spectrophotometry with aluminum chloride reagent (total flavonoids in terms of rutoside), gravimetry (total extractives, extracted by water), permanganatometric titration (total tannins in terms of tannin). Rutoside, tannin, gallic acid and salicylic acid were identified in Filipendula ulmaria herb, flowers and leafs by TLC. Also we analyzed content of substances extracted by water, flavonoids and tannins. Total extractives, extracted by water in F. ulmaria herb is 13.12±0.10%, in leafs – 13.98±0.37%, in flowers – 18.09±0.17%. Total tannins in F. ulmaria herb is 11.87±0.47%, in leafs – 12.06±0.18%, in flowers – 12.26±0.29%. Total flavonoids in F. ulmaria herb 4.34±0.17%, in leafs – 6.98±0.23%, in flowers – 11.75±0.57%. The obtained data will be used for development of a pharmacopoeial monograph project "Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., herba" for inclusion in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.

Detailed Componential Characterization of Extractable Species with Organic Solvents from Wheat Straw

Componential analysis of extractives is important for better understanding the structure and utilization of biomass. In this investigation, wheat straw (WS) was extracted with petroleum ether (PE) and carbon disulfide (CS2) sequentially, to afford extractable fractions EFPE and EFCS2, respectively. Detailed componential analyses of EFPE and EFCS2 were carried out with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Total extractives were quantified 4.96% by weight compared to the initial WS sample. FTIR and GC/MS analyses results showed that PE was effective for the extraction of ketones and waxes derived compounds; meanwhile CS2 preferred ketones and other species with higher degrees of unsaturation. Steroids were enriched into EFPE and EFCS2 with considerable high relative contents, namely, 64.52% and 79.58%, respectively. XPS analysis showed that most of the C atoms in extractives were contained in the structures of C-C, C-COOR, and C-O. TEM-EDS and EPMA analyses were used to detect trace amount elements, such as Al, Si, P, S, Cl, and Ca atoms. Detailed characterization of extractable species from WS can provide more information on elucidation of extractives in biomass.