Obtaining Composite Materials as an Alternative Use of Pineapple Residual Biomass for the Generation of Polymers Reinforced with Natural Fibers

One of the biggest problems in agricultural crops in general and, given its agronomic characteristics, in the pineapple crop, is the disposal of harvest residues. Currently, residues are removed and deposited in areas adjacent to the crop, becoming a focus of insect pests and diseases. Given the above context, the use of the afore mentioned foliar residues was evaluated as an alternative for obtaining composite materials from the plant's leaf fiber, thus generating added value to this residue. Initially, the leaves were subjected to three treatments to verify the effect on the tensile characteristics of the fibers. The treatments consisted of subjecting the leaves to fermentation at two temperatures (ambient and 30 °C) and in the presence of a NaOH solution [5%]. Subsequently, composite briquettes were made from pineapple fibers in proportions of 20 % and 30 % mixed with glycerol, guar gum, magnesium stearate and starch, evaluating the effect of the concentration of these fibers on the physico-mechanical properties of tension and elongation. Likewise, the effect of the use of a nanoclay in concentrations of 2.5 % and 5 % as reinforcement of the composite materials in a mixture with a fiber percentage of 20 % and 30 % was evaluated. In fermentation, significant differences (P>0.5) were found between the treatments, verifying that the best pretreatment was presented by the fermentation at room temperature with stress values of 373.33 ± 10.67 MPa, followed by the treatment at a temperature of 30 °C with 261.33 ± 23.09 MPa. On the other hand, when evaluating the tension and elongation, significant differences (P>0.5) were found between treatments, reporting values of 0.51 ± 0.03 MPa and 0.18 ± 0.0028 MPa for fiber concentrations of 20 % and 30 %, respectively. The effect of the use of nanoclay evidenced a higher strain in the treatment with 30 % fiber and 5 % nanoreinforcement with a value of 0.15 ± 0.0172 MPa

Use of Electromagnetic Fields as a Technological Alternative for the Production of Biomasa in Zea Mays L. Var Porva and Reduction of the Carbon Footprint of the Crop

In recent years, the use of electromagnetic fields as an enhancer of biological processes in agriculture has emerged as an emerging technology. This is closely related to the carbon footprint, since plants in general and higher plants in particular, through the photosynthesis process, reduce the atmospheric carbon load, converting it into structural carbon of the plant itself. Thus, this research sought to evaluate the effect generated by induced electromagnetic fields (EMF) as a technology for biomass production, with the consequent reduction of the carbon footprint of the crop. Variables related to the germination process were analyzed, including germination percentage, aerial and root fresh mass (g), as well as aerial and root dry mass (g), and photosynthetic pigment contents (Chlorophylls A, B and Total). The aforementioned variables were determined at two points in time, except those related to germination. The above variables, evaluated at two points in time, allowed the calculation of physiological indicators related to CO2 use in the plant (Relative Growth Rate - RGR, Net Assimilation Rate - NAR, Leaf Area Index - FAI, Crop Growth Rate - CGR, Absolute Growth Rate - AGR, Leaf Area Duration - LAD and Specific Leaf Area - SFA). On the other hand, in order to characterize the production, the morphological characteristics of the ear and fruit (weight of the ear with amero, weight of the cassava, weight of the fruit and number of rows) were evaluated. Multiple range tests were carried out to establish the behavior of the variables in comparison with the control, for which SPSS software was used. In the previous experimental context, it was evidenced that the germination process was stimulated by the application of EMF at 70 µT, but at its highest exposure times (300' and Permanent for 15 days. Similar to the above, was presented in pigment synthesis, fresh and dry biomass, with exposure at 70 µT for 180', with its consequent reflection in the physiological indicators evaluated, differing in all cases from the control. On the other hand, in terms of cob composition, the statistical analyses reflect a better performance of all the variables analyzed for exposure to 118 µT by 300' and Permanent for 15 days, differing significantly in most of the variables evaluated

Evaluation of the effect of two types of fertilizer on the growth, development and productivity of hydroponic green forage Oat (Avena sativa L.) and Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as a biomass source

Hydroponic Green Forage (HGF) is increasingly being internationally recognized as an alternative to ensure sustainable biomass production per unit area in the shortest possible time and at the highest possible quality. This research thus evaluates the effect of two nutrient solutions (with two dilutions in each case) applied in the HGF production system for Oats and Ryegrass on the parameters of growth, development and productivity of both species. To this end, a handmade greenhouse was built in which two seed sowing trays were installed with a fertigation system for oats and ryegrass species. The experimental design consisted of the assembly of two modules of 24 seed trays in which HGF Oat and Ryegrass were grown using two nutrient solutions (which were applied according to the position of the seed trays inside the module at level 2 and level 4). The tests showed for the two species evaluated that the use of organic solutions significantly promote the conversion and yield variables of fresh mass per unit area - an increase in the relative growth rate, the net assimilation rate, the crop growth rate and the absolute growth rate; all of these as a measure of crop development. Likewise, when the analysis was conducted, it was observed that the most economic assemblies turned out to be those which used the liquid humus as nutrient solution to 1/20 v.v. and 1/40 v.v. This supports the conclusion that the use of organic nutrient solution can yield high quality HGF exceeding the development parameters of those produced using conventional (synthetic) nutrient [email protected]

Potencial antioxidante de los extractos obtenidos del pericarpio y la semilla del fruto de garcinia mangostana l. según el método de extracción

Estudios científicos han demostrado que los métodos de extracción de soluciones de materias primas vegetales, pueden afectar negativamente la capacidad antioxidante de las mismas. Por otra parte, el estudio del uso potencial de los residuos (exocarpio y semilla) garantiza la generación de valor agregado a las cadenas productivas, y con ello una significativa disminución de emisión de estos a vertederos. Esta investigación evaluó el potencial antioxidante del epicarpio y semillas de frutos de Garcinia mangostana L. con el empleo de tres métodos de extracción (Soxhlet, hidrodestilación y arrastre por vapor) usando etanol absoluto como solvente y agua. Se empleó como matriz grasa una muestra de aceite comercial de soya y otra de Butilhidroxitolueno (BHT) que se corresponde a un antioxidante de origen sintético. En el pericarpio de G. mangostana L., los métodos de extracción Soxhlet y arrastre de vapor mostraron valores relevantes, denotando un efecto antioxidante sobre el aceite de soya por reducción del índice de peróxidos. Para la semilla, el método arrastre de vapor muestra valores de manera creciente junto a la concentració[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]