Effect of C/N ratio and salinity on power generation in compost microbial fuel cells

In this work, compost Microbial Fuel Cells (cMFCs) were used to generate electricity from a mix of fruit and vegetable wastes, and soil with different C/N ratios and salinities. Experiments were carried out in 500 mL cMFCs equipped with carbon felt anodes and manganese dioxide cathodes. The cMFCs were loaded with fresh compost and operated at 20\u201323 \ub0C for up to 97 days. The low C/N ratio (C/N 24) had a greater power production with a maximum power density of 5.29 mW/m2 (71.43 mW/m3), indicating a more favorable condition for microbial growth. High-saline cMFCs produced lower power, suggesting that their level of salinity (10 g/L of NaCl) inhibited electricigenic microorganisms. The closed-circuit cMFC showed an improved degradation of organic matter by 6% to 8% compared to the control MFC operated in an open circuit mode (no external resistor attached).Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Starch to value added biochemicals

An in-depth review on the catalytic transformation of starch to a remarkable breadth of products is discussed. The physicochemical properties of starches from different varieties are reported to influence their functionality. However, the impact of such properties on the reaction parameters for the cost-effective production of selective chemicals is largely unexplored. With the emergence of ionic liquids as the reaction media, water insoluble starch biopolymer can be easily dissolved and converted to reaction products simultaneously. Furthermore, microwave assisted chemical synthesis is known to enhance the reaction rates and optimize the resultant product selectivity. Physical and chemical modifications of starch also plays a vital role in the production of commodity chemicals. Recently, the potential routes to the production of biochemicals from biomass like glucaric acid, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, 2,5-diformylfuran, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-dimethylfuran, levulinic acid and sorbitol have been studied. Similar promising routes from inexpensive starches are analyzed in the review, as a function of the challenges associated to their chemical pathways and scalability

Effect Of Different Accessories On Airflow Pattern Inside Refrigerated Semi-trailers Transporting Fresh Produce

This study attempted to determine the effect of different accessories on air distribution in refrigerated semi-trailers transporting fresh horticulture produce. Air temperature data were gathered from mixed loads; including fiuits, vegetables, cut flowers, and nuts, transported in 20 trailers equipped either with frame or solid bulkheads, and flat or duct floors. Some trailers were also equipped with an air-delivery duct to improve air circulation at the rear and sides of the load. However, the airflow patterns varied so greatly for trailers with similar conditions that no conclusive statement could be made about which set of accessories could better improve air distribution. Further research is necessary to determine the best accessories to be used to enhance air circulation during transport of fresh produce. However, one important conclusion could be drawn from this research project; the variability of air distribution is extremely high and there is not existing standard commercial procedure to correct this situation.243337343Ashby, B.H., Protecting perishable foods during transport by truck (1999) Handbook, (669). , revised ed. Washington, D.C, Transportation and Marketing Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of AgricultureCraig, W.L., Transportation Tips - Trailer Air Ducts (OT-ID-15) (1990) Transportation tips series, USDA/National Perishables Logistics Association transportation series, , Washington, D.C, Office of Transportation, United States Department of AgricultureHui, K.C.P., LeBlanc, D.I., Vigneault, C., DeEll, J.R., Sotocinal, S.A., Transportation and handling of fresh fruits and vegetables (2003) Handbook of Postharvest Technology: Cereals, Fruits, Vegetables, Tea, and Spices, , eds. A. Chakraverty, A. S. Mujumdar, G. S. V. Raghavan, and H. S. Ramaswamy, Chapter 20, 555-584. New York: Marcel Dekker IncHui, K.P.C., Raghavan, G.S.V., Vigneault, C., de Castro, L.R., Evaluation of the air circulation uniformity inside refrigerated semi-trailer transporting fresh horticultural produce (2006) J. of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 4 (1), pp. 109-114Kasmire, R.F., Hinsch, R.T., Thompson, J.F., Maintaining optimum perishable product temperatures in truck shipments (1996) Postharvest Horticulture, , Davis, Calif, University of CaliforniaKasmire, R.E., Hinsch, R.T., Maintaining optimum transit temperatures in refrigerated truck shipments of perishables (1987) Perishables Handling Transportation, , Davis, Calif, University of CaliforniaLeBlanc, D.I., Hui, K.P.C., Land transportation of fruits and vegetables: An update (2005) Stewart Postharvest Review, 1 (1), pp. 4.1-4.13Sokal, R.R., Rohlf, F.J., (1969) Biometry: The Principles and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research, , San Francisco, Calif, W. H. Freeman and CoSteel, R.G.D., Torrie, J.H., (1980) Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach, , 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Book CoVigneault, C., Transport of fruits and vegetables (2005) Stewart Postharvest Review, 1 (1), pp. 6.1-6.

One pot conversion of corn starch into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in water-[BMIM]Cl/MIBK biphasic media

This work reports the catalytic conversion of corn starch into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of AlCl3·6H2O in water-[Bmim]Cl/MIBK biphasic media. Among the varieties of corn starch investigated (regular, waxy, and native high amylose), a maximum of 64 wt % HMF was obtained from waxy corn substrates within 20 min of reaction time at 140 °C. The HMF yield was comparable to the yield obtained from fructose and glucose which were of 70 and 68 wt % respectively. Furthermore, MIBK effectively partitioned HMF from the aqueous to the organic phase, thereby preventing further HMF rehydration to levulinic acid (LA). Thus, negligible LA yields (0.1 wt %) were detected in this system. Additionally, [Bmim]Cl and AlCl3·6H2O can be recycled for several catalytic runs without compromising the HMF selectivity. In summary, the proposed process parameters are favorable to achieve high HMF yields from amylopectin-rich starches

Rheological analysis of sucrose solution at high temperatures using a microwave‐heated pressurized capillary rheometer

Thermal process design, optimization, and deviation require the knowledge of engineering properties of food, such as rheological behavior, which is highly dependent on temperature. If a process is calculated based on the parameters obtained by extrapolation, it might lead to over‐ or underprocessing. The long time required for the product to reach the desired temperature, which is usual in many rheometers, may induce unexpected changes on the product. Model solutions are often used in engineering projects in order to simulate characteristics of real products. Thus, the objective of this study was to obtain rheological data of sucrose model solution at the actual high UHT (ultra‐high temperature) process temperatures using a pressurized capillary rheometer, heated by a microwave system. The results provide the rheological behavior of the sucrose solutions and show that there is no deviation of the linearity of the Arrhenius plot above 100 °C for this product. This work was useful to illustrate the use of the applied methodology and to validate the newly built microwave‐heated capillary rheometer. The data obtained confirm the stability of nonsaturated sucrose solution when treated above 100 °C and presents an important contribution to the literature database, since sucrose solutions are used as models for many table syrups, such as maple and sorghum syrups794E540E545FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPSem informaçã