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Characterization of biobriquettes produced from vineyard wastes as a solid biofuel resource
No full textThe large amount of biomass waste generated by vineyard pruning causes many environmental
concerns. The production of briquettes represents an alternative to obtaining a value-added
product. The transformation of vineyard wastes into briquettes could produce a densified product
having high energy potential. The study investigates the production and chemical, structural, and
thermal characterization of briquettes. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the briquettes
have different stages of decomposition depending on temperature, such as drying, heating,
devolatilization, and char aggregation. All the briquettes are decomposed around 600 C. The analysis
by X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the crystallinity of briquettes. The pollutant emissions resulted from
briquettes burning were measured as 444.7 mg N1m1 nitrogen oxide (NOX), 157.0 mg N1m1
sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 2165.0 mg N1m1 carbon monoxide (CO). The flue gases are below the
admitted limits, with the exception of carbon monoxide content due to the incomplete combustion
and high lignin content. Therefore, it can be concluded that briquettes produced from vineyard wastes
have similar properties to briquettes produced from wood. This study demonstrates the potential of
the obtained briquettes to replace the wood or charcoal through a desulphurization method
Integrating cashew (Anacardium occidentale) with food crops: perceptions of farmers at Amoma, in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region of Ghana
No full textIncome maximization from
cashew products and proper utilization of
resources has significantly evolved in
Amoma, as a result of cashew diversification
with food crops. The aim of the study was to
assess the perceptions of farmers on
integrating cashew with food crops. The
study aimed to identify the type of food
crops intercropped with cashew, as well as
reasons and its associated challenges. A total
of 83 respondents were purposively sampled
from four communities (Asesase,
Kukuroase, Tutuoase and Afapemu). The
results indicated that all farmers had
knowledge on food crops integration with
cashew. Amongst the food crops cultivated
with cashew include yam, maize, cassava
and groundnut. Reasons stated for
integration of food crops include weed
control, subsistence use and also financial
safety nets. Farmers’ major challenge was
financial and also weeds control on their
farm. The study concluded that yam was the
commonest intercrop of cashew followed
maize. Key challenges encountered by
farmers were weed invasion and inadequate
disposable cash for maintenance practices,
such pruning and weeding. In pursuit of
achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger),
the study recommends that farmers be
trained on proper food crop integration
methods at Amoma to boost yield, financial
stability and enhance living conditions
Carbon-isotope ratio (δ13C) and phenolic-compounds analysis in authenticity studies of wines from Dealu Mare and Cotnari Regions (Romania)
No full textIn food quality, authenticity is one of the most important issues in the context of ensuring
the safety and security of consumers, but it becomes even more important when wine is involved
as this produce has become one of the most counterfeited foods in the world. A batch of 28 wines
from Romanian grape varieties obtained in Dealu Mare and Cotnari regions was analysed from a
physical–chemical point of view in order to assess the possibility of discriminating them according to
geographical origin and variety. The samples were subjected to isotopic analysis, thus determining
13C isotopic ratio using an elemental analyser EA, VarioMicroCube; while the targeted analysis of
phenolic compounds was performed by UHPLC technique, using an Acquity UPLC H-Class. The
basic physico-chemical analysis of the samples was carried out using FTIR spectroscopy (OenoFoss).
Statistical analyses were performed using the TIBCO STATISTICAL SOFTWARE and the statistical test
applied was the Tukey HSD test. Therefore, identified phenolic compounds such as hydroxytyrosol
and coumaric acid are considered varietal markers. Tyrosol, dimers B1 and B2 and also catechin and
epicatechin are indicators of geographical origin
Evaluarea comportării în producție a unor cultivare de tomate în cultură protejată
Get PDFThe cultivation of tomatoes in protected areas in the town of Matca in Galați county is already a tradition and ensures, along with the cultivation of other vegetable species, the main income of the growers in the area. Testing the behavior of new tomato hybrids is an activity preceding their cultivation on a larger scale. For this purpose, in 2020, an experiment was carried out in the greenhouse, with five new tomato hybrids, where the following aspects were evaluated: the dynamics of plant height and the number of leaves per plant at 60, 90 and 120 days from planting, average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant, as well as average production per unit area, both by harvest stage and in total. The final results, expressed by the total fruit production per hectare were very good and without significant differences compared to the control (experience average), except for one hybrid, where the fruit production in the second stage of harvesting was very significantly lower compared compared to of the control variant
A Sustainable Approach to a Cleaner Production of Antimicrobial and Biocompatible Protein Fibers
No full textThis study presents the production, characterization, and application of celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) extracts (aqueous, acidic, alcoholic, and ultrasound) on wool fibers and their characterization. The study aims to obtain an ecologically dyed wool support that possesses biocompatible and antimicrobial activities. The plant extracts were characterized based on pH, total polyphenol content, and berberine content. Ecologically dyed wool supports were characterized based on scanning electron microscopy, levelness index, color measurements, contact angle indirect biocompatibility, and antibacterial analysis. According to the obtained results, celandine extract can be considered a potential candidate for the sustainable dyeing and functionalization of wool fibers
Incorporation of spirulina powder into processed milk to obtain semihard cheese with the aim of increased nutritional value and sensory characteristics
No full textVital amino acids, essential fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins are all abundant in spirulina. The purpose of the study
was to assess the effects of adding spirulina to processed cheese as a source of nutrients and color. To carry out this
study, the milk was processed to obtain semi-paste cheese, making three batches as follows: the control batch (Lc)
cheese without the addition of spirulina, the experimental batch 1 (Lexp-1) where the addition of 0.25% spirulina and
experimental group 2 (Lexp-2) where 0.50% spirulina was added. For products enriched with Spirulina, we mention the
fact that it was added to the milk after its pasteurization. Determinations were made on the finished product to establish
the main physicochemical parameters after the cheese was kept for 30 days during maturation under specific conditions.
The results obtained indicate increases in the protein level, therefore from 19.47% obtained in Lc to 19.87% in Lexp-1
and 20.27% in Lexp-2. Differences can also be noted in terms of total mineral content (ash), the value obtained for
Lexp-2 being 3.32% higher than that obtained for Lc. Therefore, the results of this study highlight the fact that we can
increase the nutritional value of a product, managing to come to consumers with a less conventional product
Statistical Analysis and Machine Learning Used in the Case of Two Behavioral Tests Applied in Zebrafish Exposed to Mycotoxins
No full textMachine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that allows computer systems to learn directly from examples, data, and experience. Statistical modeling is more about finding connections between variables and consequently the impact of these relationships, while also catering for prediction. It should be clear that these two methodologies are different in terms of their purpose, despite the fact that they use similar means to get there. The evaluation of the machine learning algorithm uses a set of tests to validate its accuracy. Although, for a statistical model, the analysis of regression parameters by confidence intervals, significance tests and other tests can be used to assess the legitimacy of the model. To demonstrate the applications and usefulness of this theory, an experimental study was conducted on zebrafish exposed to mycotoxin. Methods: Patulin (70 µg/L) and kojic acid (100 mg/L, 204 mg/L, and 284 mg/L) were administered by immersion to zebrafish once daily for a period of 7 days before the behavior testing. The following behavioral tests were performed: a novel tank test (NTT) (to assess the explorative behavior and anxiety); and a Y-maze test (which measures the spontaneous explorative behavior). Behavioral tests were performed on separate days. For the behavior tests, the statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA variation analysis (two-way ANOVA). All results are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. The values of the general index F for which p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Y-maze—patulin exposure led to an intensification of the locomotor activity and an increased traveled distance and number of arm entries. By increasing the spontaneous alternation between the aquarium’s arms, patulin has shown a stimulating effect on spatial memory. In the case of zebrafish exposed to 100 mg/L kojic acid, the traveled distance was shorter by 27% than the distance attained by those in the control group. The higher doses of kojic acid (204 mg/L and 284 mg/L) led to an increased locomotor activity, distance traveled, number of arm entries, and the spontaneous alternation. The increase in spontaneous alternation demonstrates that 204 mg/L and 284 mg/L kojic acid doses had a stimulating effect on spatial memory. Novel tank test—compared to the control group, the traveled distance of the patulin-exposed fish is slightly reduced. Compared to the control group, the traveled distance of the kojic acid-exposed fish is reduced, due to a shorter mobile time (by 25–27% in the case of fish exposed to 204 mg/L and 284 mg/L kojic acid). Patulin and kojic acid exhibit toxic effects on zebrafish liver, kidney, and myocardium and leads to severe alteration. We continued the analysis by trying some machine learning algorithms on the classification problems in the case of the two behavioral tests MAZE and NTT, after which we concluded that the results were better in the case of the NTT test relative to the MAZE test and that the use of decision tree algorithms leads to amazing results, knowing that their hierarchical structure allows them to learn signals from both classes. Conclusions: The groups exposed to patulin and kojic acid show histological changes in the liver, kidneys, and myocardial muscle tissue. The novel tank test, which assesses exploratory behavior, has been shown to be conclusive in the behavioral analysis of fish that have been given toxins, demonstrating that the intoxicated fish had a decreased explorative behavior and increased anxiety. We were able to detect a machine learning algorithm in the category of decision trees, which can be trained to classify the behavior of fish that were given a toxin in the category of those used in the experiment, only by analyzing the characteristic features of the NTT Behavior Test
Cutting, deboning and selection of game meat for traditional specialties
Get PDFThe low consumption of game meat is directly related to the insufficient exploration of data on game meat processing
and handling. Taking into account these considerations as well as the fact that in the practice of the meat processing
industry methods and assessing game meat for processing have not yet been developed, the main aim of the paper is to
highlight how this is done from a practical and applied point of view in the main game meat processing operations in
terms of cutting, deboning, and selection of game meat for processing, associated with the determination of the carcass
yields of the main sliced anatomical regions of the higher quality classes used to obtain traditional specialty products.
To this end, following the primary processing of the game carcasses, the weighting of each anatomical portion will be
assessed, both at the level of the region and of the carcass as a whole. The reasoning behind the processing of game
meat into traditional specialties encompasses the complex features of the anatomical regions intended for the production
of these products as well as the species of origin. For these reasons, the present study will concentrate on the cutting and
deboning capacity of wild boar meat in accordance with the methods of processing the anatomical regions of the higher
quality classes of their carcasses
Use of Sarkanda grass lignin as a possible adsorbent for as (III) from aqueous solutions – kinetic and equilibrium studies
No full textConsidering the negative effects of polluting species on the environment and human health, in particular heavy metals,
and the need for efficient use of resources, the present study investigated the adsorption of As (III) from aqueous
solutions under static conditions onto chemically unmodified Sarkanda grass lignin. In order to optimize the adsorption
process, the retention of As (III) was tested under various experimental parameters (pH of the initial solution and
adsorbent, concentration of aqueous solutions, adsorbent dose and contact time of the two phases). The experimental
data obtained were interpreted based on the classical models of Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, which was useful
in establishing the equilibrium conditions and in evaluating the adsorption capacity for a solute. The adsorption
dynamics was studied using the Lagergren pseudo-first order and the Ho and McKay pseudo-second order models. The
analysis of the obtained experimental data recommends chemically unmodified Sarkanda grass lignin as a future
alternative adsorbent for water remediation, taking into account its practical applicability in the retention of As (III)
from aqueous solutions, in terms of both adsorbent and adsorbed doses, as well as the time required for adsorption
Evaluation of phenolic compounds in white wines treated with enzymes
No full textWine's quality is influenced
both by the grape characteristics and
winemaking protocols. Awareness of the
significant role of enzymes preparations in
beverages technologies contributes to the
optimization of the manufacturing process,
for improving the chemical composition of
the resulting wine and its organoleptic
properties. This paper focuses on monitoring
the impact of different commercial enzymes
(pectinases and β-glycosides) on the main
phenolic compounds content of Sauvignon
blanc wines. For this experiment, ten
phenolic compounds were quantified using a
liquid-chromatography (LC) system coupled
with ion trap mass spectrometer. The results
indicated a significant influence of enzymes
on wine’s phenolic fraction. Experimental
samples presented high content in
protocatechuic acid (9.99 - 13.75 μg/mL)
and caftaric acid (2.69 - 9.80 μg/mL). The
use of pectinases lead to an increase of
phenolic compound’s concentration
compared to the control