Characterization of Bark Rich-In-Tannins Extracts from Deciduous Trees with Emphasis on Their Antioxidant Activity

The barks of deciduous trees spread over a wide area of Northern Europe, were sequentially extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. The highest yields of hydrophilic extractives were found for ash tree and goat willow (23.6% and 23.8%, respectively). The highe st total contents of polyphenols were found for black alder and goat willow bark (0.18 GAE  g -1 and 0.12 GAE  g -1 , respectively). Hydrophilic extract from the both grey and black alder barks contained high amount (up to 7 % on bark dry mass) of condensed tannins (CT) or oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC). In tests with free radicals (ABTS ●+ , DPPH ● ), the high radical scavenging capacities of the hydrophilic extracts enriched with OPC were demonstrated. The antioxidant efficiency of the hydrophilic extracts and purified OPC from alder barks was tested by their influence on thermo-oxidative destruction of model polyurethane (PU) films. The hydrophilic extracts enriched with tannins have good potential as a technical antioxidant for polyurethanes, with the most prominent activity for the hydrophilic extract from black alder and goat willow bark

Functionality and physico-chemical characteristics of wheat straw lignin, BioligninTM, derivatives formed in the oxypropylation process

The new organosolv process of wheat straw fractionation elaborated by Compagnie Industrielle de la matiere Vegetale (France) corresponds to the biorefinery approach, which allows separating cellulose, hemicel -luloses, and lignin. The straw lignin (Biolignin) is an attractive product, for which new applications are sought. In the present work, straw lignin (L) was converted into liquid lignopolyols via a batch reaction with propylene oxide (PO). The effects of the lignin content (L%) in the initial reaction mixture (L/(L+PO) on the oxypropylation process and the properties of whole lignopolyols and L/PO copolymers were studied. Almost complete disappearance of L-OHphen and L-COOH groups in copolymers was accompanied by an increase in the L-OHaliph groups’ content therein. The polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of all copolymers obtained decreased essentially compared to the reference. The extent of PO grafting onto OH groups increased with decreasing lignin content in the initial reaction mixture. At a lignin content of 15–30% in the initial reaction mixture, the lignopolyols fulfil the requirements of polyol polyethers for rigid polyurethane foam production. The further increase in the lignin content leads to the appearance of the non-liquefied fraction and the undesirable increase in the viscosity of the liquefied part

Neonatal Screening in Europe Revisited: An ISNS Perspective on the Current State and Developments Since 2010

International audienceNeonatal screening (NBS) was initiated in Europe during the 1960s with the screening for phenylketonuria. The panel of screened disorders ("conditions") then gradually expanded, with a boost in the late 1990s with the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), making it possible to screen for 40-50 conditions using a single blood spot. The most recent additions to screening programmes (screening for cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency and spinal muscular atrophy) were assisted by or realised through the introduction of molecular technologies. For this survey, we collected data from 51 European countries. We report the developments between 2010 and 2020 and highlight the achievements reached with the progress made in this period. We also identify areas where further progress can be made, mainly by exchanging knowledge and learning from experiences in neighbouring countries. Between 2010 and 2020, most NBS programmes in geographical Europe matured considerably, both in terms of methodology (modernised) and with regard to the panel of conditions screened (expanded). These developments indicate that more collaboration in Europe through European organisations is gaining momentum. We can only accomplish the timely detection of newborn infants potentially suffering from one of the many rare diseases and take appropriate action by working together