BioResources (E-Journal)
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Preliminary Study of Fuelwood Properties in a Short-Rotation Tree, Indigofera tinctoria Planted in Indonesia
No full textIndigofera tinctoria L. is known to produce economically valuable indigo dye. Recently, I. tinctoria has also been considered a potential species for establishing energy plantations because this species can rapidly produce large quantities of biomass. However, knowledge about its fuelwood properties is still limited. To optimize utilization of this biomass material as a source of energy, the fuelwood properties of this species were evaluated. In addition, the effect of radial growth rate on fuelwood properties in this species by mixed-effect modeling approaches were also evaluated. The productivity rate of above-ground biomass was found to be 7.4 tons ha-1 year -1. The estimated average values in fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content, ash content, and carbon content were 7.4 kg, 3.7 kg, 53.4%, 0.90%, and 1.6 kg, respectively. According to the results of mixed-effect modeling, it is concluded that faster-growth characteristics of the tree did not always deteriorate the fuelwood properties of this species
Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production from Fruit Waste Using Bacillus Strain from Wastewater Sludge
No full textPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers produced through microbial fermentation. However, the high costs associated with traditional feedstocks and fermentation techniques limit their economic feasibility. In this study, PHA-producing strains were screened from sludge samples collected at a wastewater treatment plant in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Nile red fluorescence staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase (phaC) gene fragment, leading to the selection of a high-yield PHA-producing Bacillus strain for further investigation. This strain can utilize various inexpensive substrates and exhibits rapid growth, enabling efficient polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production without the need for sterilization or costly pretreatment processes. When fruit waste was used as the substrate, the PHB content reached 17.94%, and the PHA production yield reached 2.12 g/L. These results demonstrate the feasibility of non-sterilized fermentation using low-cost waste materials, significantly reducing the overall production costs of PHAs and providing a promising strategy for economically efficient PHB production
Effect of Nano–Palm Kernel Shell Biochar on Cure, Swelling, and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanizates
No full textThe rapid growth in Malaysia’s oil palm industry has resulted in the increase in production of palm oil and oil palm waste such as palm kernel shell (PKS). However, the lack of awareness on the beneficial value of these wastes has led to sustainability issues. Thus, PKS can be converted into biochar (PKSB) and can be used as a potential bio-filler. The PKSB was produced in sizes ranging from micro to nano using a high energy ball mill (HEBM) to be used as a filler in natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates. This study evaluated the effects of varying n-PKSB loadings (0 to 10 phr) on the cure characteristics, bound rubber content (BRC), swelling, tensile, and abrasion properties of the NR vulcanizates. Results showed that n-PKSB-filled NR vulcanizates had lower minimum torque (ML) and cure rate index (CRI), along with improved BRC and crosslink density as the filler concentrations increased. The optimum loading ratio was 5 phr (F4), as this formulation offered the best mechanical properties and more homogenous dispersion of n-PKSB compared to other loadings. The overall performance of F4 showed high crosslink density (7.82 x 10-5 mol/cm3), BRC (3.94%), tensile strength (17 MPa), abrasion resistance (32.37%), and lower EB (451%). Overall, n-PKSB has great potential as bio-filler, addressing oil palm waste issues and benefiting the industry
Sundatang-Sabah’s Lost Lute of Borneo
No full textThis study determines the note for a sundatang, a traditional musical instrument in Borneo. The sundatang originated from two different ethnics so the strings were tuned differently as well as frets and it clearly produces more than one note. The sound was recorded using a microphone which was connected to a PicoScope and analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The string 1 and 2 for sundatang A are tuned to E4(330Hz) and E3(161Hz) respectively, and sundatang B are tuned to C4#(277Hz) and C3#(138.59Hz) respectively. Open string 1 and the fret from sundatang A was tuned to E4(330), G4#(410), A4#(465), C5#(546), D5(569), and F5(692) where E4-G4#:2Tone, G4#-A4#:1Tone, A4#-C5#:2Tone, C5#-D5:1Tone, D5-F5:2Tone, simplified become 2TT2TT2T. Open string 1 and the fret from sundatang B it was tuned to C4#(277), E4(329), F4(340), F4#(361), G4(389), G4#(425) where C4#-E4:1.5Tone, E4-F4:1Semitone, F4-F4#:1Semitone, F4#-G4:1Semitone, G4-G4#:1Semitone simplified become 1.5TSSSS. The note interval for string 1 and 2 for sundatang A and B can be formulated as y = 67.6x + 332.8 and y = 30.2x + 272.1, respectively. The time frequency analysis of the open strings 1 and 2 displayed a dense distribution of partials while fret 1 to 5 showed a distinct distribution which decrease with fret number
Dehydrogenation Polymer (DHP) Condensation Reaction with Glucose
No full textDehydrogenation polymer (DHP) was synthesized by free radical coupling dehydrogenation polymerization of the lignin precursor coniferin under the catalysis of various enzymes. DHP has a highly similar connection structure to natural lignin (such as β-O-4, β-β, β-5, etc.), so it shows the potential as a new zero formaldehyde release adhesive. In plants, a very stable lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) is formed between lignin and cellulose and hemicellulose, which makes plants have excellent mechanical strength. In this paper, the thermal condensation reaction between DHP and D-glucose-13C6 was simulated by hot pressing of wood-based panels, and the DHP-D-glucose-13C6 complex was prepared. The condensation was analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic response (NMR) characterization. The signals of C1 and C6 of glucose in the complex could be clearly observed in the FTIR and NMR spectra, which showed that DHP and D-glucose-13C6 can undergo thermal condensation reaction in the simulated hot-pressing environment. The C1 on the glucose unit may form a C-C bond with the C6 on the aromatic ring in DHP. It was found that DHP can function as a formaldehyde-free wood-based panel adhesive, thereby providing new evidence about the mechanism of adhesion within plant fibers
Quantitative Analysis of Leather Closet Surface Material Based on Visual and Tactile Evaluation
No full textAs people pay more attention to environmental issues, incorporating leather elements in solid wood furniture has become a new trend. This change reflects consumers’ concern for sustainable materials and their quest for personalized home design. Due to the similarity between styling of leather custom closets in the market, its surface texture and color are the key factors influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions. This study explored the visual-tactile perception of different leather materials by Chinese leather custom furniture consumers and establish an evaluation model. Based on Kansei engineering and market trend research, 12 representative leather samples and 7 perceptual phrases were selected through expert evaluation and KJ methods. Questionnaires were used to collect consumers’ visual-tactile perception evaluations of leather samples. Analysis using SPSS software showed that surface roughness, softness, and comfort of the material were the key factors affecting the tactile perception, while the visual perception was closely related to the color characteristics and aesthetic of the material. Cluster analysis categorized these materials as suitable for 4 different styles of home environments. This paper provides a theoretical basis for selecting materials for leather customized furniture and guides future design
Exploring the Effect and Molecular Docking Interaction of Carboxypeptidase and Amidohydrolase on Ochratoxin A and Zearalenone Degradation
No full textTo keep consumers from the hazard of exposure to mycotoxins and meet the allowed limits, numerous physical and chemical approaches for eliminating Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Zearalenone (ZEN) have been studied. Enzymes technology, including carboxypeptidase and amidohydrolase, were evaluated on their ability to degrade OTA and ZEN. Two fungi, namely Aspergillus ochraceus and Fusarium graminearum, were isolated with their mycotoxins OTA and ZEN from contaminated yellow corn grains. Carboxypeptidase at 0.50 and 0.75 U/mL caused 33.3 and 57.7% degradation of OTA, and 27.1 and 57.2% degradation of ZEN, respectively. Amidohydrolase at 0.50 and 0.75 U/mL caused 68.0 and 76.9% degradation of OTA, and 26.7 and 53.7% degradation of ZEN, respectively. This study investigated the molecular docking interactions of carboxypeptidase (PDB ID: 3CPA) and amidohydrolase (PDB ID: 1QRE) with OTA and ZEN. Docking scores (S) and energy terms (E_conf, E_place, E_score1, E_refine, E_score2) were calculated to evaluate binding affinities. The OTA exhibited stronger docking scores (-6.00058 to -5.0568) compared to ZEN (-5.37388 to -4.4574), indicating higher thermodynamic stability. Key interactions, such as hydrogen bonds (H-donor/acceptor) and π-based interactions (H-pi/pi-H), were identified between ligands and active-site residues (e.g., ASN 185, LYS 51, and GLU 196)
Ag-TiO2/EVA Composites for Wood Preservation: Antibacterial, Anti-mold, and Anti-Discoloration Performance
No full textAg-TiO2/EVA composites were synthesized using silver-loaded nano TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) emulsion as raw materials, aiming to develop functional materials with antibacterial, anti-mold, and anti-discoloration in properties for wood protection. The study systematically evaluated the composites’ inhibition efficacy against discoloration fungi and molds, long-term antibacterial performance, as well as the tensile strength and water vapor transmission rate of composite films. Experimental results demonstrated that 100% inhibition efficacy against Botryodiplodia theobromae and Aspergillus niger was achieved under two optimal conditions: film thickness of 0.12 to 0.15 mm with Ag-TiO2 loading ≥20%, or film thickness of 0.18 to 0.21 mm with Ag-TiO2 loading ≥15%. Samples with 10%, 15%, and 20% Ag-TiO2 loading exhibited >99.99% antibacterial rates against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Notably, the 20% Ag-TiO2 sample retained high antibacterial values of 93.0% and 91.7% against these bacteria after 15 days of storage. Mechanical and barrier property tests revealed that compared to the control, the tensile strength of composite films increased by 19.8%, 24.6%, and 29.3% at Ag-TiO2 loadings of 10%, 15%, and 20% respectively, while water vapor transmission rates decreased by 48.6%, 52.9%, and 60.6%. These findings collectively confirm that Ag-TiO2/EVA composites possess excellent bactericidal effects and significant wood anti-mold/anti-discoloration functionality
Development and Performance of a Wood Adhesive with Camellia oleifera Protein Doped with Soy Oligopeptide
No full textA high-performance wood adhesive was successfully developed by incorporating soybean oligopeptides into Camellia oleifera protein through a combination of degradation and epoxy resin crosslinking techniques. The results showed that the presence of oligopeptides boosted the creation of more active functional groups in the degradation liquid system. This process enhanced the adhesive’s initial viscosity and overall stability. As a result, the adhesive’s performance was significantly improved, making the bond more robust and long-lasting. However, a notable drawback was observed: the storage duration of the adhesive was shortened from 10 h to 3.5 h. Despite this limitation, the adhesive exhibited several advantageous properties, including a high curing reaction rate, a relatively low curing temperature, and excellent thermal stability. Additionally, the prepared adhesive demonstrated superior bonding strength and outstanding water resistance, making it a promising alternative for various wood-based applications
Experimental Investigation of Axial Pull-out Behavior of Glued-in Threaded Rods in Cross-Laminated Timber
No full textCross-laminated timber (CLT), known for its high performance, prefabrication, low carbon emission, and eco-friendliness, has gained widespread adoption in the construction industry. Glued-in rod (GiR) connections, which offer a concealed appearance, high strength, withdrawal stiffness, ease of construction, and fire resistance, have become a promising solution for CLT structures. This study experimentally investigated the axial pull-out behavior of GiR connections in CLT. Forty-five CLT specimens with single GiR were designed and tested under pull-out conditions. The experimental variables included embedment length, threaded rod diameter, and rod-to-grain angle (parallel and perpendicular). The results revealed that CLT connections with GiR parallel to the grain exhibited an ascending load-slip response until peak load, followed by a sudden failure, while those with GiR perpendicular to the grain showed a linear increase to peak load with a subsequent gradual load reduction. Increasing the embedment length from 5 d to 15 d enhanced the pull-out load but decreased the average bond stress. Additionally, larger rod diameters led to higher pull-out loads and withdrawal stiffness within a certain range but reduced the average bond stress. The study also evaluated the effectiveness of existing bond stress-slip models and pull-out load prediction models for GiR connections in CLT, providing a foundation for future standardization efforts.