Biotechnology and the fats and oils industry — An overview

Biotechnology is the application of single or multicellular organisms and of associated or derived enzyme systems to the production of desirable products. Particular discussion has been made of the derivation of fats and oils from animals, plants and microorganisms. General consideration has been given to methods, primarily plant breeding and agronomic practices for the improvement of the quantity and quality of oil produced by soybean, rapeseed, palm and sunflower. The possible importance of yeasts, fungi and algae as sources of single cell oil has been examined. A particular role of these systems in the production of specialty oils has been suggested. Enzyme systems, either associated with the intact cell or in isolation, can be used to varying degrees of success in either a free or immobilized form. Particular reference has been made to application of these systems to reactions including specific hydrolysis of triacylglycerols, acylation of glycerol, interesterification of triacylglycerols, wax ester formation and steroid transformations. Consideration has been given to particular plants and microorganisms as sources of new fats and oils. The major impact of biotechnology on the industry is believed to be associated with the production of high value specialty products including cocoa butter substitutes, biosurfactants, waxes and various prostaglandin derivatives. General consideration has been given to the possible relative importance of plant and microbial systems, engineering and scale-up problems, and overall economics of present biotechnological procedures.     

Enzyme technology for the lipids industry: An engineering overview

Enzymes useful in the lipids industry, i.e. lipases, phospholipases and lipoxygenases, are surveyed as to source, pH optimum, specificity and so on. Some useful biochemical reactions catalyzed by these enzymes are discussed: hydrolysis of fats and oils by lipases, transesterifications (acidolysis, alcoholysis, interesterification and aminolysis) of fats and oils by lipases, hydrolysis of lecithin by phospholipase A₂ and transphosphatidylation of phospholipids by phospholipase D. Research and development activities in these fields in the academic and industrial sectors of Japan are discussed. With reference to the lipolytic enzymes’ applications, forms or states with which enzymes and microorganisms are used in microaqueous solvent systems, i.e. in low water-activity media or in nearly anhydrous solvents, are summarized. Some configurations of reactors for the microaqueous biosystems are shown, and some engineering problems involved in the systems are identified. The importance of optimal moisture content control is emphasized.     

An overview of using solid wastes for pigment industry

This work reports the use of wastes (Al-rich anodizing sludge, Cr/Ni galvanizing sludge, foundry sand, tionite and marble sawing mud) to formulate distinct inorganic pigment structures that were synthesized by the solid state reaction method. One of the tested formulations is a novel pigment based on hibonite (CaO·6Al₂O₃), that was found a suitable hosting structure to accommodate cobalt or nickel chromophore ions in tetrahedral coordination, then giving strong blue or turquoise hues, respectively. The use of Cr as chromophore was tested in three distinct pigment structures: (i) red-wine Cr-CaSnSiO₅ and brown Cr-CaTiSiO₅; (ii) Cr-CaTiO₃; (iii) and Cr-TiO₂. Developed phases were determined, and the colouring mechanisms of the chromophore species were defined based on diffuse reflectance data. Then, the pigments were added to a standard transparent glaze, and the hues which developed were estimated from L*a*b* colorimetric measurements under the oxygen partial pressure in the atmosphere, to define stable workability window.     

Applications of computer simulations to dense suspension rheology

Experimental studies of dense suspension rheology as practiced in conventional rheometers cannot reveal the origins of the complex flow behaviour nor even provide consistent data for the development of theory. Applications of particulate computer simulations to dense suspensions are reviewed. These novel alternative “experiments” have the advantages that thermodynamic, structural and other transport data are simultaneously forthcoming and instrumental artifacts eliminated. All the common non-Newtonian flow phenomena characteristic of dense suspensions, together with the various time-dependent manifestations are seen to occur in very simple model fluids in certain density-shear rate-time domains and relate to a steady-state phase diagram. Simulation results could resolve many of the inconsistencies of existing rheometry and point the way to improved design. Furthermore, applications will eventually extend to problems of processing suspensions in industry.     

An overview of the fire retardant chemicals industry,past—present—future

An overview of the fire retardant chemicals industry in the United States is given starting with an historical review of the chemical producers in about 1970. Marketing concepts for these specialty chemicals is discussed by customer types for each category of fire retardant. The fire retardants discussed are bromine and chlorine compounds, nonhalogen and halogenated phosphates and antimony oxide. The paper contains a section in how to select a fire retardant. Markets are discussed by fire retardant type and by polymer type. The current and future trends section discusses toxicity issues with bromine fire, retardants, non-halogen fire retardants, smoke, processability and thin walled parts, and market projections.     

Swiss biotech--an overview of the industry and the key stakeholders 2010

This article presents the stakeholders of the Swiss Biotechnology sector. From academia to industry, from TechTransfer initiatives to state impulse programs, the sector has developed rapidly in the last years. Public Private Partnerships such as Life Science Clusters and collaborations between industry associations have proven to be an essential part for sustainable success for our national GDP. The author has extensive experience in the various sub-sectors.     

2009年度全球主要地区橡胶工业发展概览

<正>一、亚洲地区1.轮胎自21世纪以来,亚洲作为全球经济增长最快的地区为世界所瞩目。经济快速增长刺激中国和印度等新兴市场汽车销售量大增,并促进该地区的轮胎等橡胶制品对西方国家大量出口,使得以中国和印度为中心的亚洲地区成为世界轮胎业的制造中心。     

合成纤维工业中计算机控制的应用

介绍合成纤维工业中计算机控制系统的概念和功能 ,以及该系统的软硬件构成和工作原理 ,并给出应用实例 ,验证该系统的可行性和前瞻性     

中国无机盐工业近五十年发展概况

从生产规模、产品品种、进出口数量、生产技术和装备水平、节能减排和综合利用等方面,回顾了中国无机盐工业近50 a的发展概况,指出中国无机盐工业近50 a发展迅速、成绩显赫。查找出中国无机盐工业存在的问题,即：生产规模小、产品结构不合理、技术创新能力不强、环境污染严重、普通产品重复建设。提出了中国无机盐工业的发展建议,即：发展无机盐特色基地,走规模化、集约化、精细化、节能减排之路,提高无机盐产品的国际竞争力。     

SHS in Italy: An overview

In this work, the evolution of SHS research and development taking place in Italy during the last twenty years are addressed. The activity performed by the Italian research groups involved in this field that belong to the Universities of Cagliari, Genoa, Pavia, and Sassari, Polytechnic of Turin, and National Research Council IENI-Milan, respectively, are presented. The major results obtained from both the modeling and experimental points of view are reviewed while highlighting the international collaborations of each research group. Presented at the International Conference on Historical Aspects of SHS in Different Countries, October 22–27, 2007, Chernogolovka, Moscow, Russia.     

An overview of caprolactam synthesis

Caprolactam is the precursor of many industrial chemical productions as in nylon industry, plastic industry, paint industry, lysine synthesis and cross-linking for polyurethanes. The production of caprolactam has been focus much from last three decades among the scientific community to fulfill the industrial need under environment precautions. Herein a sequential and explanatory review broadly covering the transformation of a different substrate as cyclohexanone oxime, cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol, cyclohexane, and biorenewable sources into caprolactam is presented. For every substrate, a wide range of catalyst including homogeneous as well as the heterogeneous system has been deeply considered. This study will be helpful for developing alternative industrial route for production of caprolactam.     

An analysis of the rheology of polypropylene below its melting point

Three sets of data for the deformation of crystalline poly-propylene in uniaxial tensile tests and uniaxial creep, in equal biaxial creep and in planar shear are examined. The methods of analysis used in the original papers, all based on variants of linear elasticity, are critically evaluated, and a constitutive equation based on the theory of a simple fluid with memory is proposed.     

2008年力车胎行业概况及2009年展望

经过统计分析,我国力车胎行业2008年上半年市场旺销,下半年逐渐滞销,主要是自行车、摩托车出口量下降。生产低质力车胎的小企业大多倒闭,中高档产品市场占有率加大。与黑色内胎相比,红色内胎更受市场欢迎。受世界经济危机影响,预计2009年的力车胎市场扩展放缓,中高档胎将成主导产品,内胎丁基化率将进一步提高。     

An overview of subspace identification

This paper provides an overview of the state of the art of subspace identification methods for both open-loop and closed-loop systems. Practical considerations and future directions are given at the end of the paper.     

An overview of the chemical composition of biomass

An extended overview of the chemical composition of biomass was conducted. The general considerations and some problems related to biomass and particularly the composition of this fuel are discussed. Reference peer-reviewed data for chemical composition of 86 varieties of biomass, including traditional and complete proximate, ultimate and ash analyses (21 characteristics), were used to describe the biomass system. It was shown that the chemical composition of biomass and especially ash components are highly variable due to the extremely high variations of moisture, ash yield, and different genetic types of inorganic matter in biomass. However, when the proximate and ultimate data are recalculated respectively on dry and dry ash-free basis, the characteristics show quite narrow ranges. In decreasing order of abundance, the elements in biomass are commonly C, O, H, N, Ca, K, Si, Mg, Al, S, Fe, P, Cl, Na, Mn, and Ti. It was identified that the chemical distinctions among the specified natural and anthropogenic biomass groups and sub-groups are significant and they are related to different biomass sources and origin, namely from plant and animal products or from mixtures of plant, animal, and manufacture materials. Respective chemical data for 38 solid fossil fuels were also applied as subsidiary information for clarifying the biomass composition and for comparisons. It was found that the chemical composition of natural biomass system is simpler than that of solid fossil fuels. However, the semi-biomass system is quite complicated as a result of incorporation of various non-biomass materials during biomass processing. It was identified that the biomass composition is significantly different from that of coal and the variations among biomass composition were also found to be greater than for coal. Natural biomass is: (1) highly enriched in Mn > K > P > Cl > Ca > (Mg, Na) > O > moisture > volatile matter; (2) slightly enriched in H; and (3) depleted in ash, Al, C, Fe, N, S, Si, and Ti in comparison with coal. The correlations and associations among 20 chemical characteristics are also studied to find some basic trends and important relationships occurring in the natural biomass system. As a result of that five strong and important associations, namely: (1) C-H; (2) N-S-Cl; (3) Si-Al-Fe-Na-Ti; (4) Ca-Mg-Mn; and (5) K-P-S-Cl; were identified and discussed. The potential applications of these associations for initial and preliminary classification, prediction and indicator purposes related to biomass were also introduced or suggested. However, future detailed data on the phase-mineral composition of biomass are required to explain actually such chemical trends and associations.     

An overview of the biochemical pharmacology of probucol

Probucol was effective in lowering serum total cholesterol in mice at dietary levels as low as 0.0075%. It was also effective after a single 100 mg/kg I.V. dose in mice. The incorporation of acetate-¹⁴C into liver lipids of rats and mice was not significantly affected by probucol, although the results, especially in mice, make it impossible to rule out such an effect. Cholesterol absorption was estimated in rats using a dual isotope technique. The observed reductions were not statistically significant. Several liver enzyme activities were determined after probucol treatment in rats, and a significant elevation (32%) was observed in only one, glutamic dehydrogenase. Serum cholesterol was lowered markedly in cholesterol-fed cynomolgus monkeys by probucol. There was no effect on the excretion of neutral steroids and the observed increase in fecal bile acids after drug treatment could not be confirmed statistically.     

An overview of the recent advances in polylactide-based sustainable nanocomposites

The article reports recent advances in reference to the existing literature and presents a knowledge gap and potential solution ideas for polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites as sustainable materials. Various types of nanoparticles have been used for the development of PLA nanocomposites; however, this work focuses on PLA nanocomposites of nanoclay, nanocelluloses, carbon nanotube, and graphene. By providing a wholistic overview of the fundamental knowledge pertaining to PLA, and covering all critical aspects related to processing, characterization, and applications of PLA nanocomposites, this review provides a direction for future developments in the field of PLA nanocomposites suitable for various advanced applications, which is still scarce in the literature, including review articles. Moreover, the effects of dispersion/distribution of various types of nanoparticles on the degradation characteristics and special properties, such as cytocompatibility, electrical conductivity, and antimicrobial properties, of PLA nanocomposites are critically reviewed with regard to the nature of nanoparticles used for nanocomposite formation. In summary, this review provides new insight into the design and formulation of advanced PLA nanocomposites for a wide range of applications as sustainable materials.