1,721,092 research outputs found
Redox Mechanisms in Low-Temperature Solution Processing of Materials for Flexible Electronics
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Redox Mechanisms in Low-Temperature Solution Processing of Materials for Flexible Electronics
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Visualization of pectin in carrot pomace using FTIR microspectroscopy: feasibility of internal standardization
No full textPectins are a group of polysaccharides commonly used in industry as gelling, emulsifying, and stabilizing
agents. Traditionally obtained from apple or citrus peel, the increasing global demand for pectin calls for
the study of alternative sources [1], [2] . Although currently employed in animal feed, carrot pomace, a
by-product obtained after juice production, is considered a good target for pectin extraction [3], [4] .
Nevertheless, modifications on the chemical structure during biomass storage have been reported [5] ,
and there is a limited knowledge on changes occurring during pectin extraction. Industrial exploitation
of carrot pomace requires the development of robust analytical methods to collect information about
the variation in composition through the sample.
FTIR microspectroscopy allows the acquisition of spectral and spatial information simultaneously but is
not widely implemented in biomass samples due to the inherent limitations of the technique.
Uncontrolled physical and chemical phenomena such as changes in sample size, humidity, or
instrumental drift are responsible for spectral variance, hindering the potential of this technique for
quantitative analysis [6] . Data pre-processing methods can remove the inherent variation in FTIR-
spectra but can generate artifacts [7] . Normalization of the spectra based on the signal of an internal
standard could overcome this limitation [8] . Nevertheless, internal standardization is not usually
employed on biological samples due to the difficulty of finding compounds exhibiting no spectral
interference.
This work aims to study the feasibility of internal standardization to develop a spectroscopic method for
pectin determination on carrot pomace. In a first step, a calibration model for pectin determination was
prepared, enriching carrot pomace residues obtained after pectin extraction with different percentages
of pectin and a constant amount of internal standard. Subsequently, the calibration model was tested
on samples subjected to internal standardization and analyzed by FTIR microspectroscopy.
Our results show the potential of this approach in FTIR imaging, where internal standardization could
provide a method to quantitatively assess the spatial distribution of pectin in complex biomass matrices.
The findings open up an attractive prospect of using FTIR microspectroscopy for mapping changes of
target compounds at different stages of extraction.This study is funded by Flanders’ Food and VLAIO in the framework of the EffSep project (Grant number HBC.2019.0012
Visualization of pectin in carrot pomace using FTIR microspectroscopy: feasibility of internal standardization
No full textPectins are a group of polysaccharides commonly used in industry as gelling, emulsifying, and stabilizing
agents. Traditionally obtained from apple or citrus peel, the increasing global demand for pectin calls for
the study of alternative sources [1], [2] . Although currently employed in animal feed, carrot pomace, a
by-product obtained after juice production, is considered a good target for pectin extraction [3], [4] .
Nevertheless, modifications on the chemical structure during biomass storage have been reported [5] ,
and there is a limited knowledge on changes occurring during pectin extraction. Industrial exploitation
of carrot pomace requires the development of robust analytical methods to collect information about
the variation in composition through the sample.
FTIR microspectroscopy allows the acquisition of spectral and spatial information simultaneously but is
not widely implemented in biomass samples due to the inherent limitations of the technique.
Uncontrolled physical and chemical phenomena such as changes in sample size, humidity, or
instrumental drift are responsible for spectral variance, hindering the potential of this technique for
quantitative analysis [6] . Data pre-processing methods can remove the inherent variation in FTIR-
spectra but can generate artifacts [7] . Normalization of the spectra based on the signal of an internal
standard could overcome this limitation [8] . Nevertheless, internal standardization is not usually
employed on biological samples due to the difficulty of finding compounds exhibiting no spectral
interference.
This work aims to study the feasibility of internal standardization to develop a spectroscopic method for
pectin determination on carrot pomace. In a first step, a calibration model for pectin determination was
prepared, enriching carrot pomace residues obtained after pectin extraction with different percentages
of pectin and a constant amount of internal standard. Subsequently, the calibration model was tested
on samples subjected to internal standardization and analyzed by FTIR microspectroscopy.
Our results show the potential of this approach in FTIR imaging, where internal standardization could
provide a method to quantitatively assess the spatial distribution of pectin in complex biomass matrices.
The findings open up an attractive prospect of using FTIR microspectroscopy for mapping changes of
target compounds at different stages of extraction.This study is funded by Flanders’ Food and VLAIO in the framework of the EffSep project (Grant number HBC.2019.0012
Understanding silver nanoparticle leaching behavior from active biodegradable nanocomposites
No full textBiobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be seen as polymers of the future, which can replace fossil equivalents in a circular bioeconomy. Indeed, PHAs can be produced in bacteria from various biomass feedstocks. PHA biopolymers can be used in packaging, agricultural and medical applications, and they fit at least six end-of-life (EoL) scenarios. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles (NP) in bioplastic food contact materials (FCM) shows great potential as active packaging with antimicrobial performance, which can contribute to reduce food waste, as targeted by SDG 12.3. However, the lack of knowledge regarding NP release, associated risks on human health and accumulation in the environment leads to restricting legislation. Before investigating NP migration from biodegradable PHAs, the first objective is to update the dynamic European legislation regarding biobased and biodegradable packaging materials, FCM and active packaging.
In Nov 2022, the European Commission proposed the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan. The new rules will clarify how bioplastics can be part of a sustainable future. In the meantime, the Commission also intends to modernize the rules on FCM (Regulation 1935/2004) to ensure food safety, while taking account of the latest science and technology, and supporting innovation and sustainability by promoting safe reusable and recyclable solutions. Two PHAs are on the Union List of permitted substances but authorisations for nanomaterials must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The PHA value-chain from design through manufacture, value enhancement and disposal should be strategic, considering safety and legislation. Therefore, our research will focus on elucidating mechanisms of silver NP migration from PHAs in consumer as well as specific EoL scenarios to estimate the safety and application potential of bio-nanocomposites as active packaging material
Understanding silver nanoparticle leaching behavior from active biodegradable nanocomposites
No full textBiobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be seen as polymers of the future, which can replace fossil equivalents in a circular bioeconomy. Indeed, PHAs can be produced in bacteria from various biomass feedstocks. PHA biopolymers can be used in packaging, agricultural and medical applications, and they fit at least six end-of-life (EoL) scenarios. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles (NP) in bioplastic food contact materials (FCM) shows great potential as active packaging with antimicrobial performance, which can contribute to reduce food waste, as targeted by SDG 12.3. However, the lack of knowledge regarding NP release, associated risks on human health and accumulation in the environment leads to restricting legislation. Before investigating NP migration from biodegradable PHAs, the first objective is to update the dynamic European legislation regarding biobased and biodegradable packaging materials, FCM and active packaging.
In Nov 2022, the European Commission proposed the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan. The new rules will clarify how bioplastics can be part of a sustainable future. In the meantime, the Commission also intends to modernize the rules on FCM (Regulation 1935/2004) to ensure food safety, while taking account of the latest science and technology, and supporting innovation and sustainability by promoting safe reusable and recyclable solutions. Two PHAs are on the Union List of permitted substances but authorisations for nanomaterials must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The PHA value-chain from design through manufacture, value enhancement and disposal should be strategic, considering safety and legislation. Therefore, our research will focus on elucidating mechanisms of silver NP migration from PHAs in consumer as well as specific EoL scenarios to estimate the safety and application potential of bio-nanocomposites as active packaging material
Understanding silver nanoparticle leaching behavior from active biodegradable nanocomposites
No full textBiobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be seen as polymers of the future, which can replace fossil equivalents in a circular bioeconomy. Indeed, PHAs can be produced in bacteria from various biomass feedstocks. PHA biopolymers can be used in packaging, agricultural and medical applications, and they fit at least six end-of-life (EoL) scenarios. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles (NP) in bioplastic food contact materials (FCM) shows great potential as active packaging with antimicrobial performance, which can contribute to reduce food waste, as targeted by SDG 12.3. However, the lack of knowledge regarding NP release, associated risks on human health and accumulation in the environment leads to restricting legislation. Before investigating NP migration from biodegradable PHAs, the first objective is to update the dynamic European legislation regarding biobased and biodegradable packaging materials, FCM and active packaging. In Nov 2022, the European Commission proposed the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan. The new rules will clarify how bioplastics can be part of a sustainable future. In the meantime, the Commission also intends to modernize the rules on FCM (Regulation 1935/2004) to ensure food safety, while taking account of the latest science and technology, and supporting innovation and sustainability by promoting safe reusable and recyclable solutions. Two PHAs are on the Union List of permitted substances, but authorisations for nanomaterials must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The PHA value chain from design through manufacture, value enhancement and disposal should be strategic, considering safety and legislation. Therefore, our research will focus on elucidating mechanisms of silver NP migration from PHAs in consumer as well as specific EoL scenarios to estimate the safety and application potential of bio-nanocomposites as active packaging material
Dissolved air flotation of a native Cuban Chlorella sp. using chitosan: influence of extracellular organic matter on coagulant dose and floc properties
No full textUnderstanding silver nanoparticle leaching behavior from active biodegradable nanocomposites
No full textBiobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be seen as polymers of the future, which can replace fossil equivalents in a circular bioeconomy. Indeed, PHAs can be produced in bacteria from various biomass feedstocks. PHA biopolymers can be used in packaging, agricultural and medical applications, and they fit at least six end-of-life (EoL) scenarios. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles (NP) in bioplastic food contact materials (FCM) shows great potential as active packaging with antimicrobial performance, which can contribute to reduce food waste, as targeted by SDG 12.3. However, the lack of knowledge regarding NP release, associated risks on human health and accumulation in the environment leads to restricting legislation. Before investigating NP migration from biodegradable PHAs, the first objective is to update the dynamic European legislation regarding biobased and biodegradable packaging materials, FCM and active packaging. In Nov 2022, the European Commission proposed the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan. The new rules will clarify how bioplastics can be part of a sustainable future. In the meantime, the Commission also intends to modernize the rules on FCM (Regulation 1935/2004) to ensure food safety, while taking account of the latest science and technology, and supporting innovation and sustainability by promoting safe reusable and recyclable solutions. Two PHAs are on the Union List of permitted substances, but authorisations for nanomaterials must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The PHA value chain from design through manufacture, value enhancement and disposal should be strategic, considering safety and legislation. Therefore, our research will focus on elucidating mechanisms of silver NP migration from PHAs in consumer as well as specific EoL scenarios to estimate the safety and application potential of bio-nanocomposites as active packaging material
Pyrolysis of brewer’s spent grain biomass to form functional adsorbers
No full textPYROLYSIS OF BREWER’S SPENT GRAIN BIOMASS TO FORM FUNCTIONAL ADSORBERS
D. BLEUS 1, B. JOOS 2,3, W. MARCHAL 1, D. VANDAMME 1
1 Analytical and Circular Chemistry (ACC), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
4 Design and Synthesis of Inorganic Nanomaterials (DESINe), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
3 EnergyVille, Thor Park, 3600 Genk, Belgium
1. Keywords
Biomass, valorisation, pyrolysis, adsorbers
2. Highlights
- Brewer’s spent grain and malt dust biomass streams were extracted using bio-based solvents to recover (poly-)phenolic compounds.
- The extracted biomass was pyrolyzed using a lab-scale pipe furnace setup.
- The resulting biochar was then physically activated to obtain activated carbon (AC).
- The AC adsorbers will further be employed as adsorber material in solid phase separation/purification of (poly-)phenolic compounds.
3. Purpose
The proposed research abstract elaborates a novel, circular valorization methodology for
brewer spent grain (BSG) through green solvent-extraction and subsequent pyrolysis and
activation of the biomass resource to produce activated carbon (AC) materials. Finally, the
obtained AC will be investigated for use as adsorber for separation and purification of
extraction mixtures.
BSG is a nutrient-rich side product obtained from the beer brewing process. Many types of
BSG have proven to be naturally abundant in phenolic compounds, which could find
application as anti-oxidants 1 in a variety of food, feed, non-food products and
pharmaceuticals. As an industrial side stream that exceeds 3.4 million tons per year in the EU
alone 2 , a viable valorization route would create both economic and ecological opportunity.
Malt dust, on the other hand, is a lesser-known and underexplored waste stream that
encompasses all fine particulate matter separated from the freshly germinated and dried
barley. It is captured before the brewing process, and therefore still retains most naturally
present nutrients and extractable components.
To create a sustainable 3 valorization route for these biomass streams, extractions should be
carried out using bio-based or biocompatible solvents, while also minimizing the required
energetic budget.
Biomass-based adsorbers show well-documented potential in traditional solvent purification
and extractive recuperation procedures. 4- 5 Hence, in this project biomass-based adsorber
materials are put forward as a promising tool in the efficient recuperation of solvent after
the extraction step has been carried out. Extraction or ‘washing’ pretreatment steps have an
impact on the obtained pyrolysis products, and can yield increased surface area
carbonaceous materials. 6,7 It is therefore postulated that an optimized extraction process can
have a synergistic effect in the production of high surface area AC materials. Not only would
the successful implementation of these adsorbers boost the applicability of bio-based
solvents in the industry, but it would also increase the utilization of biomass side streams
that would otherwise be discarded as waste in landfills or incineration plants. 8
4. Materials and methods
BSG and malt dust were obtained from a local brewery. The samples were dried at 60°C and
stored at -20°C until further use. Different bio-based solvent systems are prepared and
evaluated for their efficiency. The mixtures were extracted using maceration at 70°C, 90°C,
and 120°C, respectively. The mixture was then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 30 minutes,
before being filtered off under vacuum. The filtered extracts were then analysed on HPLC-
MS.
The solid biomass precipitate obtained after centrifugation was collected, excess bio-based
solvent was removed by vacuum filtration, and finally dried in vacuo at 60°C to remove
remaining water. The extracted biomass with residual bio-based solvent was then pyrolyzed
in a tube furnace at 700°C, under N 2 atmosphere. The resulting biochar was collected and
yield was determined gravimetrically, before performing physical activation on part of the
biochar material.
Resulting biochar and AC materials were then analysed using BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller)
specific surface area using gas adsorption measurement, scanning electron microscopy for
surface morphology, Ultimate analysis for elemental CHNO-composition, and
thermogravimetric analysis for volatiles and ash content determination.
5. Results and discussion
Preliminary results confirm the findings of earlier studies regarding the extraction efficiency
of bio-based solvents as a valid alternative to optimized extraction methods that utilize
classical solvents, such as acetone:H 2 O mixtures. 9 Using an optimized extraction setup at
elevated temperatures (120°C), extraction efficiencies were improved over classical
maceration methods.
Through the combination of centrifugation and vacuum filtration, (poly-)phenolic extracts
have been separated from the extracted solid biomass residue, obtaining pure liquid extracts
suitable for direct analysis on HPLC-MS. Qualitative identification of various (poly-)phenolic
compounds was performed through an optimized separation method on C18 column, with
acidified H 2 O:MeOH elution gradient.
‘Wet’ biomass was pyrolyzed at 700°C and steam-activated at 800°C in small scale
experiments, obtaining AC materials with promising surface areas, exceeding 500 m 2 /g.
6. Conclusions and perspectives
Promising preliminary results confirm the plausibility of the above-mentioned methodology
for circular valorisation of BSG and malt dust biomass. On one hand, phenolic anti-oxidant
compounds were qualitatively extracted from BSG and malt dust biomass streams, using
green solvents.
The obtained AC materials will be further analysed for chemical and phyiscal functionality,
with additional optimizations of the lab-scale pyrolysis and activation process still to be
performed. Future perspective includes the setup of small-scale preparative phenolic
isolation, and elution tests, which will be performed with the obtained AC adsorbers.
7. References
[1] L. F. Guido, Food Bioprocess Technol., 2017, 10, 1192–1209.
[2] J. Steiner, Eur. Food Res. Technol., 2015, 241, 303–315.
[3] J. C. W. P.T. Anastas, Oxford University Press, 1998.
[4] B. Chen, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2008, 42, 5137–5143.
[5] J. Li, J. Hazard. Mater., 2014, 280, 450–457.
[6] W. Vercruysse, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2021, 159, 105294.
[7] J. Castro, Polymers, 2020, 12(1483), 1–13.
[8] A. Korus, Fuel Process. Technol., 2019, 185, 106–116.
[9] A. Zuorro, Processes., 2019, 7(3), 126
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