Effect of moisture content on engineering properties of sorghum grains

Moisture constitutes one of the most influential factors in the conservation of sorghum grains during storage due to their relationship with the biological factors that cause postharvest damage, affecting the nutritional and economic values. For this reason it is important to evaluate the effect of moisture content on the physical characteristics of the grain in order to establish the design and operation conditions of the post-harvest processes. Accordingly, the aim of this work is to analyze the dependence on moisture content of physical properties of technological interest for the post-harvest grain sorghum stages.Experimental results show that the moisture significantly affects the properties width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density, thousand seed weight, porosity, angle of repose and friction coefficient both on plywood surface as metal.Increased moisture content in the range of 0.13 to 0.29 dec. db results in increased for width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, thousand seed weight, porosity, angle of repose and friction coefficient. For the other side, the same increase in moisture content leads a decrease in the bulk density of the grains with correlation coefficients in all cases higher than 0.99

Effect of two drying processes about soybean seed quality

This work studies the effects of two drying processes on quality soybean seed. This study comparing simultaneously the effects of two drying processes: the dry-aeration process and conventional drying process. Two drying temperatures (60 and 80°C) and two tempering times (30 and 120 min) were investigated. The seed quality variables analyzed were: break tegument and germinating power. Results show that both drying processes were negative effect on quality seed but dry-aeration process cause less damage. The dry-aeration process to less temperature and higher tempering time caused less damage that conventional drying process about germinating power and integrity integument of soybean seed. In dry-aeration process, the higher tempering times (120 min.) show a positive effect on quality soybean seed. For analysis of temperature, the most damages were to higher temperature

Technical-Economic Study of the Esterification Process of Used Vegetable Oils (UVOs) using Heat Exchange Networks (HENs)

The objective in this study was to conduct a technical-economic study of theesterification process of used vegetable oils (UVOs) for the production of biodiesel from the pointof view of energy savings achieved by implementing heat exchange networks (HENs). Usedvegetable oils (UVOs) can be employed as an input in the production of biodiesel by catalytictransesterification. But, previously it is necessary to reduce its level of free fat acids (FFA) by theacid-catalyzed esterification process in order to prevent undesirable saponification reaction. Tocarrying out an optimal design of the technology required in the process, simulation tools have animportant role for process engineering and optimization of resources. Computer programs such asAspen Plus and Aspen Energy Analyzer provide an environment to perform process modelingand network design optimal heat exchange. In this paper, from the Aspen Plus simulation of theprocess of catalytic esterification in acid medium of UVOs, the technical-economic evaluationprocess was conducted with and without network of heat exchange in order to analyze the differentinvestment options. The comparison of the two projects (with and without the implementation ofHENs) was performed by determining the net present value (NPV). On the scale set for the project,the total cost of the equipment of heat exchange for the esterification process designed with HENswas US$ 4,782.50 higher than the corresponding to the process without HENs application.However, it should be noted that the cost of services decreased by 30% annually, and on the otherhand, comparing the process, it was observed that the NPV of the HENs process was 29.5% higher,which leads to the conclusion that the project which includes heat exchange networks is technicallyand economically feasible.Fil: Laborde, María Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Grupo Tecnologías de Semillas; ArgentinaFil: Serna Gonzalez, Medardo. Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo; MéxicoFil: Pagano, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Grupo Tecnologías de Semillas; ArgentinaFil: Gely, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Grupo Tecnologías de Semillas; Argentin

Estimación de factores de emisión locales para las actividades de generación de metano en el sector Aguas Residuales Domiciliarias de la provincia de Buenos Aires

A partir de datos propios del Partido de Olavarría se estimaron los factores de emisión EF (emission factor, kg CH4/kg DBO), de corrección de metano MCF (methane correction factor, adimensional) propios del sistema de descarga y de tratamiento de las aguas residuales y la cantidad total de carbono orgánico degradable TOW (total organics in wastewater, kg DBO/año) para el sector Aguas Residuales Domiciliarias en el Partido de Olavarría, realizando proyecciones en la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina), siguiendo la metodología propuesta en 2006 por el Panel Intergubernamental de Cambio Climático (IPCC). Se determinó un valor total de TOW de 1,137,173 kg DBO/año para el Partido de Olavarría, estimando 153.5 millones kg DBO/año para la Provincia frente a los 407.4 millones de kg DBO/año para el total de la República Argentina. El MCF promedio ponderado determinado para Olavarría fue de 0.64, estimando 0.652 para la Provincia frente a 0.645 para la República Argentina. Los EF (kg CH4/kg DBO) para Olavarría fueron 0.48 (descarga a red pública y tratamiento centralizado en planta depuradora; descarga a letrina), 0.3 (pozo ciego con cámara séptica y descarga a letrina) y 0.51 (pozo ciego sin cámara séptica), siendo en promedio 0.547, 0.3 y 0.51, respectivamente, para la Provincia de Buenos Aires.Using collected data from Olavarría city, methane emission factors EF (kg CH4/kg BOD), MCF (methane correction factor, dimensionless) and TOW (total quantity of degradable organics in wastewater, kg DOB/year) were estimated for domestic wastewater sector in Olavarría city and Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). The methodology proposed in 2006 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was applied. The TOW value for Olavarría city was 1,137,173 kg BOD/year, while the estimated Province value was 153.5 million kg BOD/year compared to 407.4 million kg BOD/year for Argentina. The weighted average MCF for Olavarría city was 0.64, for Buenos Aires Province was 0.652 in front of 0.645 estimated for Argentina. The EF (kg BOD CH4/kg) for Olavarría city were 0.48 (discharge systems for public network and centralized treatment plant sludge), 0.3 (discharge latrine/septic tank with septic tank) and 0.51 (discharge latrine/septic tank cesspool without), while on average were 0.547, 0.3 and 0.51, respectively for Buenos Aires Province.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Estimación de factores de emisión locales para las actividades de generación de metano en el sector Aguas Residuales Domiciliarias de la provincia de Buenos Aires

A partir de datos propios del Partido de Olavarría se estimaron los factores de emisión EF (emission factor, kg CH4/kg DBO), de corrección de metano MCF (methane correction factor, adimensional) propios del sistema de descarga y de tratamiento de las aguas residuales y la cantidad total de carbono orgánico degradable TOW (total organics in wastewater, kg DBO/año) para el sector Aguas Residuales Domiciliarias en el Partido de Olavarría, realizando proyecciones en la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina), siguiendo la metodología propuesta en 2006 por el Panel Intergubernamental de Cambio Climático (IPCC). Se determinó un valor total de TOW de 1,137,173 kg DBO/año para el Partido de Olavarría, estimando 153.5 millones kg DBO/año para la Provincia frente a los 407.4 millones de kg DBO/año para el total de la República Argentina. El MCF promedio ponderado determinado para Olavarría fue de 0.64, estimando 0.652 para la Provincia frente a 0.645 para la República Argentina. Los EF (kg CH4/kg DBO) para Olavarría fueron 0.48 (descarga a red pública y tratamiento centralizado en planta depuradora; descarga a letrina), 0.3 (pozo ciego con cámara séptica y descarga a letrina) y 0.51 (pozo ciego sin cámara séptica), siendo en promedio 0.547, 0.3 y 0.51, respectivamente, para la Provincia de Buenos Aires.Using collected data from Olavarría city, methane emission factors EF (kg CH4/kg BOD), MCF (methane correction factor, dimensionless) and TOW (total quantity of degradable organics in wastewater, kg DOB/year) were estimated for domestic wastewater sector in Olavarría city and Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). The methodology proposed in 2006 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was applied. The TOW value for Olavarría city was 1,137,173 kg BOD/year, while the estimated Province value was 153.5 million kg BOD/year compared to 407.4 million kg BOD/year for Argentina. The weighted average MCF for Olavarría city was 0.64, for Buenos Aires Province was 0.652 in front of 0.645 estimated for Argentina. The EF (kg BOD CH4/kg) for Olavarría city were 0.48 (discharge systems for public network and centralized treatment plant sludge), 0.3 (discharge latrine/septic tank with septic tank) and 0.51 (discharge latrine/septic tank cesspool without), while on average were 0.547, 0.3 and 0.51, respectively for Buenos Aires Province.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic on Cognitive Function and Risk of Falls in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Randomized Trial.

Cirrhosis; Probiotic; Cognitive functionCirrosis; Probiòtic; Funció cognitivaCirrosis; Probiótico; Función cognitivaProbiotics can modulate gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and immune response and could therefore improve cognitive dysfunction and help avoid potential consequences, such as falls, in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multistrain probiotic on cognitive function, risk of falls, and inflammatory response in patients with cirrhosis. Consecutive outpatients with cirrhosis and cognitive dysfunction (defined by a Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score [PHES] < -4) and/or falls in the previous year were randomized to receive either a sachet of a high-concentration multistrain probiotic containing 450 billion bacteria twice daily for 12 weeks or placebo. We evaluated the changes in cognitive function (PHES); risk of falls (Timed Up and Go [TUG] test, gait speed, and incidence of falls); systemic inflammatory response; neutrophil oxidative burst; intestinal barrier integrity (serum fatty acid-binding protein 6 [FABP-6] and 2 [FABP-2] and zonulin and urinary claudin-3); bacterial translocation (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein [LBP]); and fecal microbiota. Thirty-six patients were included. Patients treated with the probiotic (n = 18) showed an improvement in the PHES (P = 0.006), TUG time (P = 0.015) and gait speed (P = 0.02), and a trend toward a lower incidence of falls during follow-up (0% compared with 22.2% in the placebo group [n = 18]; P = 0.10). In the probiotic group, we observed a decrease in C-reactive protein (P = 0.01), tumor necrosis factor alpha (P = 0.01), FABP-6 (P = 0.009), and claudin-3 (P = 0.002), and an increase in poststimulation neutrophil oxidative burst (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The multistrain probiotic improved cognitive function, risk of falls, and inflammatory response in patients with cirrhosis and cognitive dysfunction and/or previous falls

Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic on Cognitive Function and Risk of Falls in Patients With Cirrhosis : A Randomized Trial

Probiotics can modulate gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and immune response and could therefore improve cognitive dysfunction and help avoid potential consequences, such as falls, in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multistrain probiotic on cognitive function, risk of falls, and inflammatory response in patients with cirrhosis. Consecutive outpatients with cirrhosis and cognitive dysfunction (defined by a Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score [PHES] < −4) and/or falls in the previous year were randomized to receive either a sachet of a high-concentration multistrain probiotic containing 450 billion bacteria twice daily for 12 weeks or placebo. We evaluated the changes in cognitive function (PHES); risk of falls (Timed Up and Go [TUG] test, gait speed, and incidence of falls); systemic inflammatory response; neutrophil oxidative burst; intestinal barrier integrity (serum fatty acid-binding protein 6 [FABP-6] and 2 [FABP-2] and zonulin and urinary claudin-3); bacterial translocation (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein [LBP]); and fecal microbiota. Thirty-six patients were included. Patients treated with the probiotic (n = 18) showed an improvement in the PHES (P = 0.006), TUG time (P = 0.015) and gait speed (P = 0.02), and a trend toward a lower incidence of falls during follow-up (0% compared with 22.2% in the placebo group [n = 18]; P = 0.10). In the probiotic group, we observed a decrease in C-reactive protein (P = 0.01), tumor necrosis factor alpha (P = 0.01), FABP-6 (P = 0.009), and claudin-3 (P = 0.002), and an increase in poststimulation neutrophil oxidative burst (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The multistrain probiotic improved cognitive function, risk of falls, and inflammatory response in patients with cirrhosis and cognitive dysfunction and/or previous falls

Propiedades térmicas del almidón de maíz colorado duro: efecto del secado a 70 y 90°C

Se comparo el efecto del secado natural (a temperatura ambiente) frente al artificial (a 70 y 90°C), que es el más frecuentemente utilizado en los tratamientos convencionales realizados en plantas de acopio, sobre el peso del grano, el contenido y la concentración de amilosa y almidón, y las propiedades térmicas del almidón, en dos híbridos de maíz ‘flint’ en comparación con un híbrido dentado.EEA BalcarceFil: Actis, Marcos. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Tecnología de Semillas y Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Ordoñez, Matías. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Tecnología de Semillas y Alimentos; Argentina. Buenos Aires (provincia). Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Farroni, Abel Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; ArgentinaFil: Bartosik, Ricardo Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Gely, Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Tecnología de Semillas y Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Pagano, Ana. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Tecnología de Semillas y Alimentos; Argentin

Process of Obtaining Biodiesel from WVO: Differential Cost Analysis of Optimal Energy Integration Options

En este trabajo se seleccionó la mejor alternativa de diseño de Red de Intercambio de Calor (RIC) aplicada al proceso de esterificación y transesterificación con metanol para la obtención de biodiésel a partir de aceites vegetales usados (AVUs), mediante un análisis económico diferencial entre las alternativas con y sin RIC. Ambas opciones con integración de calor presentaron un valor actual neto (VAN) mayor que aquellas en las que no se aplicó integración energética, debido fundamentalmente a la disminución en los costos operativos. El valor de VAN para las opciones 1 y 2 fue de US$29.821.901 y US$ 26.004.006, respectivamente. Por lo tanto, la Opción 1 resultó ser la alternativa tecnológica económicamente más conveniente.In this work, the best alternative design of Heat Exchange Network (HEN) applied to the process of esterification and transesterification with methanol to obtain biodiesel from waste vegetable oils (WVO) was selected through a differential economic analysis between the alternatives with and without HEN. Both options with heat integration presented a higher net present value (NPV) than those where no energy integration was applied, mainly due to the decrease in operating costs. The NPV for options 1 and 2 was US$29,821,901 and US$ 26,004,006, respectively. Therefore, Option 1 turned out to be the most economically convenient technological alternative.Fil: Laborde, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Núcleo de Investigación y Desarrollo de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: González, Medardo S.. Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo; MéxicoFil: Ponce, José M.. Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo; MéxicoFil: Pagano, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Núcleo de Investigación y Desarrollo de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Gely, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Núcleo de Investigación y Desarrollo de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentin

Revalorización del lactosuero: estudio de la hidrólisis para obtención de biocombustible

El lactosuero es un residuo de la industria láctea, proveniente de la elaboración de quesos, que suele ocasionar un problema ambiental importante por los grandes volúmenes con elevada carga orgánica que se generan: se estima que se requieren 10 L de leche para producir 1 a 2 kg de queso, mientras se eliminan 8-9 L de suero con valores DBO de 30-60 kg/m3 (López Ríos et al., 2006; Guimarães et al., 2010; Beltrán y Acosta, 2013). No obstante, este residuo orgánico ofrece diversas posibilidades de valorización, siendo una de ellas la producción de bioetanol (biocombustible usado en el corte de la nafta) a partir del aprovechamiento de su composición en carbohidratos.Fil: Vales, M. Eugenia. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; ArgentinaFil: Capdevila, Verónica E.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; ArgentinaFil: Iraporda, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; ArgentinaFil: Rubel, Irene Albertina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; ArgentinaFil: Gely, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; ArgentinaFil: Pagano, Ana M.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarría; Argentin