Production and Characterization of Pulp from Banana Pseudo Stem for Paper Making via Soda Anthraquinone Pulping Process

The need for pulp and paper currently in the whole world has become shooting up massively. The generation of the pulp, as well as paper from woody materials, has a challenge due to deforestation, huge chemical and energy consumptions. Now, an alternative source for paper is lignocelluloses wastes, because of low cost, low energy, and chemical consumption. Among them, the banana pseudostem was best for the input of pulp and paper production. This investigation was on the production and characterization of pulp from Banana Pseudo Stem for Paper Making via Soda Anthraquinone pulping process. The amount of cellulose (41.45%), ash (12.4%), hemicellulose (23.37%), extractive (12.72%), and lignin (10.46%) contents were obtained at the initial compositional evaluation of the pseudostem. It has excellent fiber length (1.75mm), fiber diameter (22.15μm), an acceptable Runkle ratio (0.55), and flexibility coefficient (159.64). The effect of temperature (130,140 and 150 °C), cooking time (45, 60, and 75 minutes), the concentration of soda (10, 12.5, and 15%), were examined. The maximum pulp yield and kappa number was 36.7% and 22.8 respectively obtained at 10% of soda concentration, at 150 °C, and 63 minutes of cooking time from oven-dried raw material. The produced paper from the banana pseudostem has a tensile index, tearing index, smoothness, and porosity were 78.75 Nm/g, 19.1 mN.m2/g, 500-530μm, and 50 sec/100ml air respectively. This study indicates that high strength mechanical property and good surface properties paper can be produced from banana pseudostem pulp with a more environmentally friendly pulping process.

Evaluation of Kraft pulp yield and syringyl/guaiacyl ratio from standing trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. urophylla, Leucaena leucocephala and Casuarina junghuhniana) using portable near infrared spectroscopy

Measurement of pulpwood traits from a standing tree has considerable advantage when screening large populations for tree selection. It reduces time and also eliminates requirements of transport, powdering, and storing the sample. This study describes estimation of Kraft pulp yield (KPY) in Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. urophylla, Leucaena leucocephala, and Casuarina junghuhniana by portable NIR spectroscopy of standing trees. Calibration models were developed for KPY estimation using portable NIR spectroscopy for the four species, along with a calibration model for syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio in E. camaldulensis. The calibration models for KPY showed R2 values ranging from 0.93 ( E. camaldulensis) to 0.83 ( L. leucocephala), and 0.95 for S/G ratio. The developed calibration models for E. camaldulensis and L. leucocephala were compared with laboratory NIR models, and a variation of <±2.0% was found between both methods. The models were validated by both external and cross validation which showed <2.0% RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) and <2.0% RMECV (root mean square error of cross validation) in external and cross validations, respectively.

Nitric Acid-Potassium Hydroxide Fractionation of Rice Straw: an Integrated Biorefinery Initiative

Rice straw was fractionated with nitric acid in order to avoid the cooking liquor recovery in pulp production from agricultural residue (rice straw). The rice straw treated with 11.03% nitric acid at 90 ℃ for 3hr yields 53.09% pulp. The nitric acid treated rice straw pulp had high amount of lignin and minerals. However, further treatment of nitric acid pulp with low potassium hydroxide reduced the lignin and ash sufficiently as well as the pulp yield. Pulp yield reduced from 53.09 to 34.27%. The papermaking properties of the nitric acid followed by KOH treated pulp showed better quality than the nitric acid pulp. Nitric acid liquor was used several times. Pulp yield decreased in every step of reusing of the nitric acid spent liquor although residual lignin content increased. The final effluent liquor was rich with potassium, nitrogen and biomass that can be used as soil nutrient for cultivation.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO PÓS-COLHEITA DE FRUTOS DE MARACUJÁ-ROXO CULTIVADOS EM SISTEMA CONVENCIONAL E ORGÂNICO

Cultivares de maracujá-roxo desenvolvidas regionalmente podem contribuir para o aumento da produção de frutos de qualidade atendendo às necessidades do mercado. Objetivou-se avaliar os frutos de maracujá-roxo, obtidos em sistemas de cultivo convencional e orgânico. Os frutos foram colhidos em estágio de maturação comercial (casca totalmente roxa) e analisados quanto à caracterização físico-química, centesimal, compostos bioativos e capacidade antioxidante. Os frutos analisados apresentaram maiores valores médios para o rendimento de polpa e sólidos solúveis em sistema convencional, que foram de 49,04% e 13,86 °Brix. O valor calórico energético foi de 45,95 kcal/100 g em sistema orgânico, indicando que o consumo do fruto “maduro” pode ser realizado a fim de suprir as necessidades energéticas diárias. As polpas dos frutos de maracujá-roxo estudados demonstraram serem fontes importantes de componentes bioativos, com respaldo aos elevados valores médios para ácido ascórbico e polifenóis extraíveis totais em ambos os sistemas de cultivo. Palavras-chave: Passiflora edulis Sims; manejo; sólidos solúveis; compostos fenólicos. Postharvest characterization of purple passion fruits cultivated in conventional and organic system ABSTRACT: Regionally developed purple passion fruit cultivars can contribute to the increase in the production of quality fruits, meeting marked needs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the purple passion fruits, obtained in conventional and organic cultivation systems. The fruits were harvested at the stage of commercial maturation (totally purple peel) and analyzed for characterization of the physicochemical, centesimal composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. The analyzed fruits showed higher average values ​​for pulp yield and soluble solids in a conventional system, which were 49.04% and 13.86 °Brix. The caloric energetic value was 45.95 kcal/100 g in organic system, indicating that the consumption of the “ripe” fruit can be carried out in order to meet the daily energy needs. The pulps of the purple passion fruit studied proved to be important sources of bioactive components, supported by the high mean values ​​for ascorbic acid and total extractable polyphenols in both farming systems. Keywords: Passiflora edulis Sims; management; soluble solids; phenolic compounds.

Breba Fruits Characterization from Four Varieties (Ficus carica L.) with Important Commercial Interest in Spain

Although most of the published articles generalize with the fruit of the fig tree (Ficus carica L.), the differentiation between fig and breba is increasingly common in the bibliography. In this regard, keep in mind that the fig tree generally produces two crops a year, the parthenocarpic breba, also called as early fig, and the main non-parthenocarpic crop, the fig proper. In this study, four brebas varieties (‘Colar’, ‘SuperFig1’, ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ and ‘San Antonio’) were selected in order to identify compositional, nutritional, and chemical diversity. These varieties were chosen for their commercial relevance in Spain. Color (internal and external), fruit and peel weight, size, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI), sugar, and organic content were determined for all the breba fruits samples. In addition, polyphenolic profile, amino acids, and volatile aromatic compounds were also identified. The varieties ‘Colar’ and ‘SuperFig1’ showed the highest fruit weight and size, while ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ presented the higher pulp yield. The higher organic acid and sugar contents were determined for ‘SuperFig1’ and ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’, respectively. Although in low concentrations, the phenolic compound quercetin 3-(6-O-acetyl-beta-glucoside) and the amino acid tyrosine were only detected in the ‘’Cuello de Dama Negra’ and ‘SuperFig1’ fruits, respectively. Of the eighty volatile aromatic compounds identified, only eight were common in four varieties. An important knowledge gap was identified in relation to the characterization of the two Ficus carica L. crops, that is, the differentiation and specification in the literature when working with brebas and/or figs.

Physicochemical Characterization and Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg Accessions

Myrciaria floribunda, also known as rumberry, is a tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where its fruits have the potential for commercial use. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential, determines the phytochemical profile, and chemically characterizes the rumberry fruit. Accessions were sampled from the Rumberry Active Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil. Physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and phenolic compound content were analyzed. Chemical profile characterization was carried out using PSMS. Accessions had an average weight of 0.86 g. Accession AC137 presented a higher pulp yield (1.12 g). AC132 and AC156 had larger fruits, AC137 showed greater firmness (5.93 N), and AC160 had a higher and total phenolic content ratio (279.01 ± 11.11). Orange-colored accessions scored higher in evaluated parameters, except for AC160 for phenolic content. Thirty-two compounds were identified on positive ionization mode and 42 compounds on negative ionization mode using PSMS. Flavonoids, followed by the derivatives of benzoic acid, sugars, and phenylpropanoids, were the most prominent. Myricitrin, quercitrin, and catechin stand out as flavonoids that have been reported in previous studies with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to health and therapeutical benefits, demonstrating the potential of the rumberry fruit.

Mutagenicity of Tectona grandis Wood Extracts and Their Ability to Improve Carbohydrate Yield for Kraft Cooking Eucalyptus Wood

Considering the toxicity of the impurities of synthesized anthraquinone, this study clarified new catalytic compounds for kraft cooking with improved carbohydrate yield and delignification and less mutagenicity, which are important for ensuring the safety of paper products in contact with food. The 2-methylanthraquinone contents of teak (Tectona grandis) woods were 0.18–0.21%. Acetone extracts containing 2-methylanthraquinone from Myanmar and Indonesia teak woods as additives improved lignin removal during kraft cooking of eucalyptus wood, which resulted in kappa numbers that were 2.2–6.0 points lower than the absence of additive. Myanmar extracts and 2-methylanthraquinone improved carbohydrate yield in pulps with 1.7–2.2% yield gains. Indonesia extracts contained more deoxylapachol and its isomer than 2-methylanthraquinone. The residual content of 2-methylanthraquinone in the kraft pulp was trace. Although Ames tests showed that the Indonesia and Myanmar extracts were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium, 2-methylanthraquinone was not. The kraft pulp obtained with the additives should be safe for food-packaging applications, and the addition of 0.03% 2-methylanthraquinone to kraft cooking saves forest resources and fossil energy in industries requiring increased pulp yield.

Determination of Ideal Cooking Conditions for Pulp Production from Avocado Wood (Persea americana Mill.) by Kraft Method

In this study, hand sheets were made from pulp produced by the Kraft method using avocado wood. The raw materials were supplied by a fruit orchard and consisted of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees that had completed their useful life and were cut during routine thinning maintenance. In order to determine the ideal cooking conditions in the production of pulp from avocado wood via the Kraft method, 16 cooks were carried out by varying the cooking time (T), active alkali (AA), and sulfidity (S) ratios. The general pulp properties, especially the screened pulp yield, pulp viscosity, and Kappa number, were evaluated. The pulp yield was taken as the primary basis in determining the cooking conditions. The ideal cooking conditions were also determined by considering some physical, mechanical, and optical properties of the paper. According to this study, the conditions found to be ideal in pulp production from avocado (Persea americana Mill.) wood via the Kraft method were: 18 % AA, 22 % S, and 75 min T.

Anatomical and chemical characterization of Alstonia boonei for pulp and paper production

Alstonia boonei, an abundant lesser utilized species within the West African Subregion, was evaluated as an alternative raw material for pulp and paper production. The basic density (BD), fibre characteristics [fibre length (FL), fibre diameter (FD), lumen diameter (LD) and wall thickness (WT)], derived anatomical indices [Flexibility Ratio (FR), Slenderness Ratio (SR), Rigidity Coefficient (RC), Luce’s Shape Factor (LSF), Solids Factor (SF) and Runkel Ratio (RR)] and chemical composition (lignin, holocellulose, 1% NaOH solubility and ash contents) of A. boonei were studied to evaluate variation along the trunk (base, middle and top portions) and ascertain its suitability for pulp and paper production. Significant variations were observed in the density and fibre characteristics along the trunk of the tree. Although the FD was large, the observed adequate FL, thin-wall and large LD implied easy beating of fibres and manufacture of dense, smooth and strong papers. The favourable SF, RR, FR, RC, and LSF values obtained for the fibres would produce papers with suitable burst and tearing strengths and folding endurance. Chemically the lower lignin (< 30%), ash and 1% NaOH solubility and the high holocellulose contents of A. boonei, will generate a higher pulp yield. A. boonei although a low-density species, will be desirable for pulp and paper production.