Fired clay bricks using agricultural biomass wastes: Study and characterization

The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the incorporation of renewable pore-forming agents on the properties of fired bricks. Different additives have been studied (wheat straw, sunflower seed cake and olive stone flour) at different grinding and incorporation rate. Physical properties such as linear shrinkage, loss on ignition, bulk porosity, water absorption and bulk density have been measured. Mechanical and thermal performances have also been characterized. The incorporation of 4wt.% of sunflower seed cake, with the lowest grinding, leads to the best compromise between mechanical and thermal results compared to the reference brick

Sweet Clovers, a Source of Fibers Adapted for Growth on Wet and Saline Soils

Sweet clovers are legumes able to grow on most soils, and two sweet clover species, Melilotus albus and Melilotus officinalis have been introduced and are now cultivated on estuary land. We characterized the composition and morphology of sweet clover stems collected after the seeds had reached maturity. We also carried out histochemical analyses on transverse sections. The two species had similar morphological structures, which two fiber fractions: flexible long fibers and stiff, dense shives, accounting for about 12% and 88% of stem dry matter, respectively. Histological analysis revealed the presence of bundles of highly cellulosic bast fibers (lignocellulosic material: 71–78% of dry matter). The shives are a natural mesoporous material composed of 85–90% lignocellulosic fibers. Both fiber fractions displayed good thermal resistance to temperatures up to 225°C and a moderate affinity for water. These two types of fibers are similar to those of flax and hemp, suggesting their possible use for the same types of applications. Sweet clovers therefore constitute a new source of fibers that can be cultivated on wet and saline soils not otherwise suitable for agriculture

Etude d'un nouveau procédé de fractionnement des co-produits de fabrication de jambon sec et des propriétés physico-chimiques et fonctionnelles des extraits et raffinats

Le coproduit de fabrication de jambon sec est issu de l'opération de désossage de la cuisse de porc parée, salée, séchée et affinée. Il est constitué à plus de 85 % d'os et de tissus associés (cartilages, ligaments, tendons). Le concassage au broyeur à marteau permet d'homogénéiser le coproduit en morceaux de taille inférieure à 8 cm (> 90 % compris entre 40 et 80 mm). La composition chimique de la matière sèche du mélange (77 +- 3 % de MS) est de 33 +- 5 % en protéines (89 % de collagène, 14 % de protéines hydrosolubles, 6 % d'acide aminés libres), 31 +- 3 % en lipides (triglycérides : 70 % ; diglycérides : 3,5 % ; acides gras libres : 11 % ; saturé/insaturé : 0,87 ; 24 % C16 :0 ; 13 % C18 :0 ; 2 % C16 :1 ; 38 % C18 :1 ; 4 % C18 :2) et 26 +- 4 % de matière minérale (phosphate de calcium 88 % ; NaCl 9 %). L'extraction aqueuse des lipides et des protéines du coproduit est étudiée en contacteur agité. Le raffinat solide est séparé par filtration à chaud sous forme de granulat et la matière grasse entraînée est séparée par décantation à froid. L'étude de l'influence des principaux facteurs de l'extraction liquide/solide (temps de contact : 30 à 90 min, température : 40 à 90C ; ratio eau/coproduit : 4 à 10) grâce à la réalisation d'un plan d'expérience met en évidence les effets de la solubilisation et la coagulation des protéines sur l'entraînement des lipides et leur décantation sous forme de matière grasse. Mis en oeuvre à l'échelle pilote (64 kg de coproduit de jambon sec concassé, 207 kg d'eau, 30 min à 90C en contacteur agité), le procédé de fractionnement aqueux conduit par filtration centrifuge et séchage à un granulat stable (rendement : 59 % ; matière minérale : 41 % ; protéines : 43 % ; lipides : 16 %), source de phosphate de calcium (95 % de la matière minérale) et de gélatine ou de colle d'os (88 % de protéines de nature collagénique). La fraction matière grasse décantée (rendement : 24 % ; lipides : 93 % ; triglycérides : 75 % ; diglycérides : 4 % ; acides gras libres : 7 % ; saturé/insaturé : 0,82 % ; 37 % C16 :0 ; 15 % C18 :0 ; 2 % C16 :1 ; 44 % C18 :1 ; 8 % C18 :2) présente les mêmes caractéristiques physicochimiques que le saindoux, avec une odeur proche de celle du jambon sec (19 COV aromatiques identifiés présents dans les arômes majoritaires de jambon). La fraction protéines solubilisées, obtenue sous forme de lyophilisat après concentration de la phase aqueuse (rendement : 8 % ; protéines : 52 % dont 29 % d'acides aminés libres ; matière minérale : 29 % dont 90 % NaCl, lipides : 3 %), contient aussi des glucosaminoglycanes sulfatés (GAGs : 3,4 %). Ces caractéristiques de composition, associées à ses propriétés épaississantes et gélifiantes, adhésives et stabilisantes d'émulsion, font de cette fraction minoritaire du procédé de fractionnement aqueux du coproduit de jambon sec, un extrait aux multiples applications à forte valeur ajoutée (source de peptones pour la culture de champignons et de levures, adhésif et liant naturel, ingrédient de formulation alimentaire nutracétique et cosmétique).The ham production by-product comes from the deboning of dressed, salted, dried and refined pork leg. It consists of more than 85% of bone and associated tissues (cartilage, ligaments, tendons). Hammer mill crushing allows homogenizing the by-product into pieces smaller than 8 cm (> 90% between 40 and 80 mm).Dry matter chemical composition of the blend; (77 +- 3% DM) is 33 +- 5% protein (89% collagen, 14% of watersoluble proteins, 6% free amino acid), 31 +- 3% lipids (triglycerides: 70% diglycerides: 3.5%; free fatty acids: 11%; saturated / unsaturated: 0.87; 24% C16: 0; 13% C18: 0; 2% C16: 1; 38% C18: 1; 4% C18: 2) and 26 +- 4% mineral matter (calcium phosphate 88%, 9% NaCl). Lipids and proteins aqueous extraction of the by-product is studied in an agitated contactor reactor. The solid raffinate was separated by hot filtration to an aggregate and the fat is separated by cold decantation.The study of the influence of main factors of the liquid / solid extraction (contact time: 30 to 90 min, temperature: 40 to 90 C; ratio water / by-product: 4 to 10) through the implementation of an experimental design, highlights the effects of proteins dissolution and coagulation on lipid output and decantation as fat matter.By pilot scale implementation (64 kg of crushed by-product of dry-cured ham, 207 kg of water, 30 min at 90 C in agitated contactor), the aqueous fractionation process leads, by centrifugal filtration and drying, to a stable aggregate (yield: 59%; mineral matter: 41%; protein 43%; lipids: 16%), source of calcium phosphate (95% of the mineral) and gelatin or bone glue (88% collagenous protein).The decanted fat fraction (yield: 24%; lipids: 93%; triglycerides: 75%; diglycerides: 4% free fatty acids: 7%; saturated / unsaturated: 0.82%; 37% C16: 0; 15% C18: 0; 2% C16: 1; 44% C18: 1; 8% C18: 2) has the same physicochemical characteristics as lard, with an odor similar to that of dry-cured ham (19 identified aromatic VOC part of ham main flavors). The solubilized protein fraction, obtained as a lyophilized extract after concentration of the aqueous phase (yield: 8%; protein: 52% with 29% of free amino acids; mineral matter: 29%, with 90% NaCl, lipids: 3%), also contains sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs: 3.4%). These composition characteristics, associated with its thickening and gelling properties, adhesive and stabilizing for emulsion, transforms this minor fraction of the aqueous fractionation process of the dry-cured ham byproduct, in an high added value multiple applications extract (source of peptones for culture for fungi and yeasts, a natural and binding adhesive, ingredient for food nutraceutic and cosmetic formulation).TOULOUSE-ENSIACET (315552325) / SudocSudocFranceF

Fractionnement de coproduits de pin maritime (Pinus pinaster) et de peuplier (Populus tremula) pour l'obtention d'extraits polyphénoliques à activité antioxydante (procédé d'extraction aqueuse en extracteur bi- vis et étude des conditions subcritiques)

Les voies de valorisation actuelles ne permettent pas d'absorber la totalité des coproduits de l'industrie du bois (noeuds, écorces, souches), qui sont des matières riches en composés bioactifs tels que les polyphénols, préférentiellement extraits par des solvants comme l'éthanol ou le méthanol. Le fractionnement aqueux à l'aide d'extracteur bi-vis permet d'obtenir des extraits polyphénoliques à activité antioxydante. Après avoir déterminé l'extractabilité des polyphénols de chaque matière en eau subcritique, les paramètres d'extraction en bi-vis ont été optimisés de façon à d'atteindre des conditions de température et de pression caractéristiques de l'eau subcritique. La présence d'un marqueur spécifique dans les extraits étaye l'hypothèse selon laquelle l'extracteur bi-vis permet d'atteindre les conditions de l'eau subcritique. Les effets des extraits sur la biodégradabilité de pots horticoles dans lesquels ils ont été incorporés ainsi que sur la croissance de plantes mises en culture dans ces pots ont été déterminés. La valorisation de l'extrudat comme matériau pour le thermopressage en panneaux de particules a également été étudiée.Actual exploitation procedures can not absorb all the wood by-products (knots, barks, stumps), which are potent sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, preferentially extracted by solvents such as ethanol or methanol. Aqueous fractionation has been performed with twin-screw extractors to obtain polyphenolic extracts with antioxidant activity. After having determined the extractability of polyphenols from each byproduct with subcritical water, the parameters of twin-screw extraction were optimized in order to reach temperature and pressure conditions in subcritical water area. The presence of a specific marker in the extracts supports the hypothesis that a twin-screw extractor allows to reach subcritical water conditions. The effects of the extracts on the biodegradability of horticultural pots in which the extracts have been incorporated and on the development of the plants grown in these pots have been evaluated. The valorisation of the extrudate as raw material for thermopressing particle boards has also been studied.TOULOUSE-INP (315552154) / SudocSudocFranceF

Distribution of free amino acids, polyphenols and sugars ofZiziphus jujubapulps harvested from plants grown in Tunisia

Ziziphus jujubapulps are very much appreciated by the inhabitants and have beenrecently exported. This article reports on the chemical composition (amino acids,polyphenols and sugars) of the pulps of fourZ. jujubaecotypes (Choutrana, Mahdia,Mahres and Sfax). The major amino acids identified were proline, aspartic acid andglutamic acid. Among these, proline was the most abundant amino acid (17.4 mol).Considerable differences in total phenolic contents (15.85 mg/L) were found.Predominant phenols identified by using HPLC were rutin (1.09 mg/L) and chlorogenicacid (2.57 mg/100 g). Sugars isolated fromZiziphuspulps were found at a rate of43.52%. Using HPLC method, three sugars from the pulp extract were identified:glucose, galactose and sucrose. The Mahdia ecotype was the richest in these sugarswith 0.45, 136.51 and 113.28 mg/L, respectively

Suitability assessment of a continuous process combining thermo-mechano-chemical and bio-catalytic action in a single pilot-scale twin-screw extruder for six different biomass sources

A process has been validated for the deconstruction of lignocellulose on a pilot scale installation using six types of biomass selected for their sustainability, accessibility, worldwide availability, and differences of chemical composition and physical structure. The process combines thermo-mechano-chemical and bio-catalytic action in a single twin-screw extruder. Three treatment phases were sequentially performed: an alkaline pretreatment, a neutralization step coupled with an extraction–separation phase and a bioextrusion treatment. Alkaline pretreatment destructured the wall polymers after just a few minutes and allowed the initial extraction of 18–54% of the hemicelluloses and 9–41% of the lignin. The bioextrusion step induced the start of enzymatic hydrolysis and increased the proportion of soluble organic matter. Extension of saccharification for 24 h at high consistency (20%) and without the addition of new enzyme resulted in the production of 39–84% of the potential glucose

Pressurized water extraction of isoflavones by experimental design from soybean flour and Soybean Protein Isolate

A Doehlert experimental design was conducted and surface response methodology was used to determine the effect of temperature, contact time and solid liquid ratio on isoflavone extraction from soybean flour or Soybean Protein Isolate in pressurized water system. The optimal conditions conducted gave an extraction yield of 85% from soybean flour. For Soybean Protein Isolate compared to soybean flour, the isoflavone extraction yield is 61%. This difference could be explained by higher aglycon content, while aglycon appears to be the least extracted isoflavone by pressurized water. The solid liquid ratio in the ASE cell was the overriding factor in obtaining high yields with both soybean products, while temperature has less influence. A high temperature causes conversion of the malonyls-glucosides and glucosides isoflavone derivatives into glucosides or aglycons forms. pressurized water extraction showed a high solubilization of protein material up to 95% of inserted Soybean Protein Isolate

Phytoconstituents of leaf extracts of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. plants harvested in Tunisia

The present study aimed to determine the phytoconstituent compositions of the leaves of four Ziziphus jujuba ecotypes (Choutrana, Mahdia, Mahres and Sfax). The chromatographic peaks of 18 compounds, including nine major fatty acids, five sterols, two triterpene alcohols and two methysterols, were quantified by the capillary gaseous chromatography method. The major fatty acids identified were linolenic (42.04%) and palmitic (23.04%). Unsaturated fatty acids ranged between 53% and 60%. The predominant sterols (mg/100g) were β-sitosterol (40.36) and stigmasterol (24.18). Cycloartenol (68.55mg/100g) and citrostadienol (12.27mg/100g) were the major metylsterols. Methylene cycloartanol ranged between 1.2mg/100g (Sfax) and 1.5mg/100g (Mahdia). Total phenolic content measured by Folin-ciocalteux ranged from 3.97mg GAE/g to 6.04mg GAE/g. The predominant flavonoids identified by HPLC were apigenin (6.1mg/g) and rutin (1.91mg/g). The fatty acids and flavonoids in the Z. jujuba leaves were responsible for their therapeutic and pharmaceutical effects. This could explain why Tunisian people traditionally use it as medicine to treat several pathologies

Environmental characterisation of retification process by-products (liquid and gaseous wastes)

6th International Symposium “Environment and Wood Preservation” Cannes-Mandelieu, France 7-8 February 2005 14 pagesIn order to reduce environmental risks during the service life of the treated wood and to find new alternative developments on the durability of wood, some research and technology development have been made on thermal treatment. The retification process is one of these processes. The retification process induces chemical modification of the lignin and cellulosic components and modifies the intrinsic properties of wood : efficient increases the durability against fungi and insects, increases of the dimensional stability, decrease of the mechanical properties. The interest of this process is to reduce the environmental impact during the service life. In order to confirm the high interest of this process for the reduction of the environmental impact, an environmental characterisation of wastes on pilot plant have been carried out. Chemical analysis on gaseous and liquid effluents have been performed. An energetic assessment has been realised. The results indicate the high interest of this process in terms of possible biodegradable wastes and chemical valorisation interest, interest on energetic consumption in comparison with other wood processing treatment, interest on using retification treated wood in flooring according to indoor air quality requirements

Development of porous fired clay bricks with bio-based additives: Study of the environmental impacts by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

The incorporation of bio-based pore-forming agents, from either agricultural (wheat straw – WS and olive stone flour – OSF) or chemical (glycerol carbonate – GC and dimethyl carbonate – DMC) origins, into clay formulations, has been investigated. Fire clay porous tablets have been manufactured at laboratory scale and characterized through physical, mechanical and thermal properties. An increase of 7.2% of the porosity correlated to a decrease of 7.0% of the thermal conductivity was measured for the best samples. The environmental impacts of these formulations have also been examined through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using the ReCiPe v1.10 method. It was noticed that the incorporation of pore-forming agents led a decrease of about 15–20% of all the studied impact categories. The advantage of the use of bio-based additives in clay bricks was then confirmed from both performance (lighter material with a better thermal insulation) and environmental points of view