Establishment of a Graduate Certificate Program in Biobased Industrial Products – Final Technical Report

A certificate of graduate studies in Biobased Industrial Products is to be established at Kansas State University (KSU) along with the development of a similar program at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS. At KSU, the program of study will be coordinated through the steering committee of the Agricultural Products Utilization Forum (APUF); the certificate of graduate studies will be awarded through the Graduate School of Kansas State University. This certificate will establish an interdisciplinary program of study that will: (1) ensure participating students receive a broad education in several disciplines related to Biobased Industrial Products, (2) provide a documented course of study for students preferring a freestanding certificate program, and (3) provide a paradigm shift in student awareness away from petroleum-based feedstocks to the utilization of renewable resources for fuels and chemical feedstocks. The academic program described herein will accomplish this goal by: (1) providing exposure to several academic disciplines key to Biobased Industrial Products; (2) improving university/industry collaboration through an external advisory board, distance learning opportunities, and student internships; (3) expanding the disciplines represented on the students' supervisory committee; (4) establishing a seminar series on Biobased Industrial Products that draws upon expert speakers representing several disciplines; and (5) increasing collaboration between disciplines. Numerous research programs emphasizing Biobased Industrial Products currently exist at KSU and PSU. The certificate of graduate studies, the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration within the students? thesis research, the proposed seminar series, and formation of an industrial advisory board will: (1) provide an interdisciplinary academic experience that spans several departments, four colleges, four research centers, and two universities; (2) tangibly promote collaboration between KSU and PSU; (3) catalyze involvement of plant geneticists with researchers active in the development and utilization of biobased industrial products; and, (4) promote university/industry collaboration

Infrared spectroscopy as a compliment to X-ray diffraction for zeolite examination

X-ray diffraction is commonly used to examine zeolite structure, but it is unable to see small changes in the long-or short-range structure. Infrared spectroscopy is used to examine changes in the long-and short-range structure of zeolite. Structural changes in zeolite CIT-6 and derivatives upon chemical treatment are identified with mid-and far-infrared spectroscopy. Differences in the local structure of the sample are observed in the mid-and far-infrared spectra

Miscanthus as Raw Materials for Bio-based Products

There is great interest in products from Miscanthus because large quantities of biomass can be produced annually. There are simple uses such as bedding for animals, mulch for horticulture applications, and insulation to improve energy conservation. Miscanthus has excellent natural absorbent qualities which makes it very attractive for spill management and as a bedding material. Compostable foodservice ware has been produced from Miscanthus to replace products from plastic that do not biodegrade. Building applications include fiber board, particleboard, and composites. Miscanthus has high-quality cel lulose for material applications and is an excellent source of cellulose where high quality is important. Nanocellulose applications from this crop are of interest and this is an active area of research, and cellulose from Miscanthus for paper production is one of the applications that is included in this chapter

Food-Grade Saponin Extract as an Emulsifier and Immunostimulant in Emulsion-Based Subunit Vaccine for Pigs

Subunit vaccines consisting of highly purified antigens require the presence of adjuvants to create effective and long-lasting protective immunity. Advances on adjuvant research include designing combination adjuvants which incorporate two or more adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy. Previously, an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant (OW-14) composed of mineral oil and an inexpensive gum Arabic emulsifier has been reported demonstrating enhanced and robust immune responses when used as an adjuvant in swine subunit vaccines. This study presents a modified version of OW-14 prepared with food-grade Quillaja saponin extract (OWq). In new OWq emulsion, saponin extract served as an emulsifier for stabilization of emulsion droplets and as an immunoactive compound. The use of saponins allowed to reduce the required amount of emulsifier in the original OW-14. However, emulsion stabilized with saponins demonstrated extended physical stability even at elevated temperature (37°C). The two-dose vaccination with a classical swine fever virus (CSFV) glycoprotein E2-based vaccine formulated with OWq produced higher levels of E2-specific IgG and virus neutralizing antibodies in pigs in contrast with animals that received the vaccine adjuvanted with oil only. In addition, new OWq adjuvant was safe to use in the vaccination of pigs

Solubility of the Corn Protein Zein in Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids

The solubility of the corn protein zein is measured gravimetrically from 30 to 60 °C in seven imidazolium-based ionic liquids and three conventional solvents, acetic acid, 70 vol % aqueous ethanol, and 1-methylimidazole. At elevated temperatures the solubility of zein in six of the ionic liquids exceeds that of the current industry standard, 70 vol % aqueous ethanol. The ionic liquids 1-methylimidazolium acetate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide can dissolve 2.5 times more zein at 60 °C than 70 vol % aqueous ethanol. Single and multivariate regressions are used to model zein’s solubility as a function of common solvent properties. Solvents able to dissolve more zein have small molecular volumes, low polarities, and act as a weak hydrogen bond acceptors