The Role of Lignocellulosic Composition and Residual Lipids in Empty Fruit Bunches on the Production of Humic Acids in Submerged Fermentations

The aim of this research was to study the production of humic acids (HA) by Trichoderma reesei from empty fruit bunches (EFBs) of palm oil processing, with a focus on the effects of lignocellulosic content and residual lipids. EFBs from two different soils and palm oil producers were previously characterized about their lignocellulosic composition. Submerged fermentations were inoculated with T. reesei spores and set up with or without residual lipids. The results showed that the soil and the processing for removal of the palm fresh fruits were crucial to EFB quality. Thus, EFBs were classified as type 1 (higher lignocellulosic and fatty acids composition similar to the palm oil and palm kernel oil) and type 2 (lower lignocellulosic content and fatty acids composition similar to palm oil). Despite the different profiles, the fungal growth was similar for both EFB types. HA production was associated with fungal growth, and it was higher without lipids for both EFBs. The highest HA productivity was obtained from type 1 EFB (approximately 90 mg L⁻¹ at 48 h). Therefore, the lignocellulosic composition and the nature of the residual lipids in EFBs play an important role in HA production by submerged fermentation.

     

Desulfurization of model and real fuels by extraction and oxidation processes using an indenylmolybdenum tricarbonyl pre-catalyst

Regulations on the permissible levels of sulfur in transportation fuels are becoming ever more strict, with a global shift towards “zero sulfur” fuels, and the revamp of existing hydrodesulfurization (HDS) facilities to meet these lower caps is cost-prohibitive. Metal-catalyzed sulfoxidation chemistry is viewed as an economically viable desulfurization strategy that could complement conventional HDS technology. In the present work, the complex [η⁵-IndMo(CO)₃Me] ( 1 ) (Ind = indenyl) was employed in the catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) of model and real liquid fuels, using aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxidant. After optimization of the CODS reaction parameters (diesel/H₂O₂ ratio, catalyst amount, temperature), a high-sulfur (2000 ppm) model diesel containing benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene could be completely desulfurized within 2 hr under solvent-free conditions or in the presence of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF₆) as extraction solvent. The catalyst formed under solvent-free conditions could be recycled without a significant decrease in desulfurization activity. The high performance of the CODS system was verified in the sulfur removal from a commercial untreated diesel fuel with a sulfur content of 2300 ppm, and a jet fuel with a sulfur content of 1100 ppm. Solvent-free CODS in combination with initial/final extraction gave desulfurization efficiencies of 70% for the diesel fuel and 55% for the jet fuel. CODS with [BMIM]PF₆ in combination with initial/final extraction led to a sulfur removal of 95.9% for the diesel fuel, which is one of the best results yet reported for ODS of commercial diesels.     

Highly Efficient Singlet Oxygen Generators Based on Ruthenium Phthalocyanines: Synthesis,Characterization and in vitro Evaluation for Photodynamic Therapy

The synthesis of ruthenium(II) phthalocyanines (RuPcs) endowed with one carbohydrate unit—that is, glucose, galactose and mannose—and a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) ligand at the two axial coordination sites, respectively, is described. Two series of compounds, one unsubstituted at the periphery, and the other one bearing eight PEG chains at the isoindole meta-positions, have been prepared. The presence of the axial DMSO unit significantly increases the phthalocyanine singlet oxygen quantum yields, related to other comparable RuPcs. The compounds have been evaluated for PDT treatment in bladder cancer cells. In vitro studies have revealed high phototoxicity for RuPcs unsubstituted at their periphery. The phototoxicity of PEG-substituted RuPcs has been considerably improved by repeated light irradiation. The choice of the axial carbohydrate introduced little differences in the cellular uptake for both series of photosensitizers, but the phototoxic effects were considerably higher for compounds bearing mannose units.     

Heuristic guided simulator for the operational planning of the transport of sugar cane

This paper presents a computational tool for the operational planning of the transportation of sugar cane to mills. A simulation model was developed to serve as a basis for a heuristic which automatically allocates the equipment available at a mill to the different collection points so that the sugar cane available can be loaded for delivery with the minimal amount of equipment. The program is user-friendly, and compatible with Windows. The approach used emphasises the flexibility of the model and the interactiveness possible during the planning process. Successful trial tests with real data are reported.     

Synthesis and Thermal Study of 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives of the Alkaline Earth Metals I. Strontium Complexes

Strontium complexes of 5,7-dibromo-, 5,7-dichloro-, 7-iodo- and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline were precipitated from an aqueous ammonia and acetone medium. The complexes obtained were Sr[(C₉H₄ONBr₂)₂]·2.5H₂O; Sr[(C₉H₄ONCl₂)(OH)]·1.5H₂O; Sr[(C₉H₅ONI)₂]·5H₂O and Sr[(C₉H₄ONICl)(OH)]·1.25H₂O. The residues of their thermal decomposition were SrBr₂; a mixture of SrCl₂, SrCO₃ and SrO; SrCO₃ and SrCO₃, respectively. All were characterized by means of thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, complexometry with EDTA, atomic absorption spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal behavior of lignin and cellulose from waste composting process

The lignin and cellulose were extracted from reference material (leaves and twigs) and food of compost at different times composting: zero (raw), 30, and 120 days. According to thermogravimetric analysis and its derivative and differential scanning calorimetry curves for these samples, were verified during composting process there were considerable changes in its thermal profiles, as well as, characteristics lignin in cellulose samples and cellulose in lignin samples. These features were found by fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy.     

Effect of Non-Calcined Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as an Alternative Precursor on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Pastes

BFS-MK-based alkali-activated materials are well established as an alternative for sustainable and green construction. This work aims to collaborate and encourage the use of biomass ashes, such as sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), as a precursor in alkali-activated materials (AAM). This ash is a rich source of aluminosilicate, which is a primary requirement for this application. In addition, this waste is still an environmental liability, especially in developing countries, and with a large volume of annual production. Thus, in this research, alkali-activated pastes (AA) were produced using sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) and metakaolin (MK) as precursors. In addition, environmental gains were encouraged with energy savings, with no extra reburn or calcination steps in the SCBA. Thus, the precursors were characterized by laser granulometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The pastes were produced by mixing the precursors with the activator, composed of a mixture of sodium hydroxide 8 mol/L and sodium silicate. Aiming to study the incorporation of SCBA, all samples have a precursor/activator ratio and a BFS/(BFS + MK) ratio constant of 0.6. The compressive strength analysis, FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM and isothermal calorimetry analyses pointed out the occurrence of alkaline activation in all proposed samples for curing times of 7, 28 and 91 days. The sample GM0.6-BA0 (15% SCBA) achieved the highest compressive strength among the samples proposed (117.7 MPa, at 91 days), along with a good development of strength throughout the curing days. Thus, this work presents the properties of alkaline-activated pastes using SCBA as a sustainable and alternative precursor, seeking to encourage the use of raw materials and alternative waste in civil construction.     

Red Tomato Products as an Alternative to Reduce Synthetic Dyes in the Food Industry: A Review

Most dyes used in the food industry are synthetic and can be a health hazard. Red tomato may serve as a natural alternative dye to replace synthetic colorants. This study aimed to review the literature on the addition of red tomato products (powder tomato, paste, freeze-dried, tomato peel powder, tomato pomace) to reduce the usage of synthetic dyes in the food industry. Red tomato products have been used as coloring in pasta, bologna, sausages, cookies, crackers, macaroons, hamburgers, breads, muffins, cheeses, and nuggets. The trans-cis isomerization of lycopene by oxidative processes directly affects the color of the pigment. The lycopene contained in tomato has antioxidant activity and could reduce or eliminate other oxidants and/or synthetic preservatives in food. Moreover, tomatoes in foods have high sensory scores, nutritional appeal, and marketing potential. However, its use as a food colorant has been not extensively explored. Therefore, further studies are still required, especially on the stability of carotenoids in tomatoes used in processed foods.     

Polymerization with TMA-protected polar vinyl comonomers. II. Catalyzed by nickel complexes containing α-diimine-type ligands

α-Diimine Ni complexes (7, 8) were used as catalyst precursors with MAO in co- and terpolymerization of ethylene/propylene/α-olefins with OH and COOH functional groups. Trimethylaluminium was used to protect the functional group of polar monomers. The presence of 5-hexen-1-ol seems to have no effect on the polymerization rate at all for the N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) derivative 8 but caused activity decreases of about fivefold in copolymerization and around two times in terpolymerization for the N,N-dimesityl derivative 7. The effect levels off at higher polar comonomer concentration. This system, (7)/MAO, also incorporates well both 10-undecen-1-ol and 10-undecen-1-oic acid. The activities obtained with these α-diimine Ni complexes in co- and terpolymerization are three to twenty times higher than those obtained with group 4 Cp based complexes especially at concentrations of polar monomer in the feed higher than 80 mM. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2471–2480, 1999