Pressurised solvent extraction of policosanol from wheat straw,germ and bran

Policosanols (PCs) are a group of long chain aliphatic alcohols that have been reported to have low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering properties. Wheat is a good source of these compounds. This study examined the effect of solvent type and temperature on extract yields and PC content and composition in the extracts. Wheat germ, straw and bran samples were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, n-hexane and ethanol at various temperatures ranging from 80 to 125 °C.     

Plasma surface modification of graphene oxide nanosheets for the synthesis of GO/PES nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane for enhanced oily separation

In this study, two different monomers, namely hexafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) were individually used to modify graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets via environmentally friendly plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The results from instrumental analyses confirmed the successful deposition of respective functional material onto the nanomaterials. Modified GOs were used as the nano-fillers to develop composite polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane with improved surface properties for oily solution treatment. All the developed membranes were characterized with a series of analytical instruments to support the findings of membrane filtration performance. The results indicated that the membrane incorporated with DEAEMA-GOs (coated with hydrophilic polymer) could achieve better results in terms of oil rejection, antifouling resistance and water recovery rate than the membrane incorporated with HFBA-GOs (coated with hydrophobic polymer). This is due to the reduced agglomeration between modified GOs as well as better interaction of hydrophilic-coated GOs with polymer membrane. Compared to the pure water flux of the membrane incorporated with unmodified GO, the membrane incorporated with DEAEMA-GO achieve approximately 85% higher value with oil removal rate remained almost unchanged (98.94% rejection).     

Viscoelastic and Processing Effects on the Fiber-Matrix Interphase Strength. Part I. The Effects of Loading Rate,Test Temperature,Fiber Sizing and Global Strain Level

The effects of loading rate, fiber sizing, test temperature and global strain level on the adhesion strength between carbon fibers and a thermosetting epoxy (Epon 815) are studied using the single fiber fragmentation test procedure. Analytical methodology describing the viscoelastic behavior observed is also presented. The possibility of rate-temperature-interphase thickness superposition for the interfacial strength function is illustrated based on the analytical models discussed. Experimental data are discussed using Weibull statistics and also presented in the form of percent relative frequency histograms for the fiber fragments in a collective fashion. The use of histograms allows for interpretation of the skewness in the data population.     

Viscoelastic and Processing Effects on the Fiber-Matrix Interphase Strength. Part I. The Effects of Loading Rate, Test Temperature, Fiber Sizing and Global Strain Level

The effects of loading rate, fiber sizing, test temperature and global strain level on the adhesion strength between carbon fibers and a thermosetting epoxy (Epon 815) are studied using the single fiber fragmentation test procedure. Analytical methodology describing the viscoelastic behavior observed is also presented. The possibility of rate-temperature-interphase thickness superposition for the interfacial strength function is illustrated based on the analytical models discussed. Experimental data are discussed using Weibull statistics and also presented in the form of percent relative frequency histograms for the fiber fragments in a collective fashion. The use of histograms allows for interpretation of the skewness in the data population.     

Thermal insulation enhancement in concretes by adding waste PET and rubber pieces

The relative change in insulation property of the ordinary concrete due to adding polymeric based waste material is experimentally investigated here. The polyethylene (PET) bottle and automobile tire pieces, which can easily be obtained from the environment with almost no cost, are shredded and added into ordinary concrete to examine heat insulation behaviors of specimens. Five different concrete samples (one ordinary concrete, one concrete with scrap rubber pieces and three concretes with waste PET bottle pieces of various geometries) are considered. The adiabatic hot-box technique is used for comparing effective thermal transmittances of these concrete samples. The results reveal that proper addition of selected waste materials into concrete can significantly reduce heat loss or improve thermal insulation performance. The degree of improvement in thermal insulation is found to vary with the added waste material and geometry of shredded-pieces.     

Strength and Frictional Properties of Popcorn Kernel as Affected by Moisture Content

Strength properties and dynamic coefficient of friction of popcorn kernels were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 7.78–16.72 g/100 g dry solids. In order to determine strength properties of the kernels that are in terms of deformation at rupture point, rupture force, energy absorbed, hardness, and toughness of the popcorn kernels were quasi-statically loaded between two parallel plates. To determine frictional properties, friction tests were performed on aluminum, steel, and fiberglass surfaces. The values related to the strength properties, in general, decreased as the moisture content increased. On the other hand, the dynamic coefficient of friction of the popcorn kernels increased with increasing moisture content.     

Enhanced production of isoamyl acetate from beet molasses with addition of fusel oil by Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus

Fusel oil which contains high level of amyl alcohols (approximately 45–55%) is a by-product obtained from the distillation of alcohol made by fermentation of molasses. Williopsis saturnus is a yeast which is able to convert isoamyl alcohol into isoamyl acetate. The aim of this study was to increase the formation of isoamyl acetate by the addition of fusel oil at the ratios of 1%, 2% and 3% (v/v) to molasses based fermentation medium using W. saturnus. It was found out that bioconversion of added fusel oil into isoamyl acetate was possible and an addition of 1% fusel oil led to an increase in isoamyl acetate concentration from 118 to 354 mg/L.     

Bond Strength of a Silicone Soft Lining Material to Poly(methyl methacrylate) Resin Treated with Maleic Anhydride and its Terpolymers

This study investigated the effectiveness of surface treatment of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) denture base resin on tensile bond strength between PMMA/silicone-based soft liner. A total of 25 specimens were fabricated and assigned into five groups (n = 5). The surfaces of PMMA were treated with maleic anhydride, maleic anhydride-styrene-vinyl-acetate, n-butylmaleate-styrene-vinyl-acetate, or n-pentamaleate-styrene-vinyl-acetate prior to Primo adhesive primer application and silicone liner placement. The Primo adhesive primer on applied group untreated dentuse base resin served as control. The tensile test was performed using a universal testing machine. Fractured surfaces were observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and spectroscopic interpretation of the interfaces was done by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Test results showed that surface treatment increased interfacial strength giving the highest value for n-butylmaleate-styrene-vinyl acetate treated group. SEM micrographs revealed that the specimens with n-butylmaleate-styrene-vinyl-acetate and n-penta maleate-styrene-vinyl-acetate terpolymers underwent cohesive failure. FTIR analysis indicated secondary interactions such as hydrogen bonding, possibly on acrylic resin surfaces, caused by the use of maleic anhydride and its terpolymers, and the adhesive.     

The comprehensive investigation of the room temperature ionic liquid additives in PVC based polymer inclusion membrane for Cr(VI) transport

This study is to perform the comprehensive investigation of PVC based ionic plasticized membrane (IPM) production by using room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL)‐based additives and the membrane application of selective Cr(VI) removal. Some significant parameters related to membrane structures that are membrane thickness, plasticizer rate, and type, RTILs rate, and type, the average molecular weight of PVC were studied to define the excellent polymeric membrane film composition. After that, the PVC based polymeric film used in the Cr(VI) transport and initial mass transfer coefficient (J_o) were about 3.57 × 10^?7 mol s^?1 m^?2 by decyl substituted RTIL as an additive. Also, optimized membrane transport process has been considered as selective enough for Cr(VI) in the presence of the other heavy metal ions. Surface characterizations of the membranes have been performed to clarify the structural and the morphological assessment of IPMs at initial and end of Cr(VI) transport by SEM‐EDX, AFM, contact angle measurement and found a good relationship between the molecular structure of RTIL additive and membrane morphology. As we know that lots of researchers are still trying to find environmentally friendly, inexpensive and straightforward processes to remove toxic substances from industrial effluents or natural sources. At that point, our results can open a gate for cheap, novel and environmentally friendly Cr(VI) removal by PVC based membrane. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E107–E119, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enrichment of Lysophosphatidylcholine in Canola Lysolecithin

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) possesses excellent oil‐in‐water emulsifying properties and health benefits. The objective of this study was to produce an LPC‐enriched fraction from lysolecithin generated during enzymatic degumming of crude canola oil. Three alcohols (methanol, ethanol and isopropanol) were evaluated for their effectiveness at enriching LPC. A 3 × 3 full factorial design was employed to study the effects of two processing parameters (temperature and alcohol/lysolecithin ratio) on three responses (yield and LPC concentration of alcohol soluble fraction, and LPC recovery) with the most effective alcohol. Ethanol was found to be the best solvent to enrich LPC in lysolecithin. An ethanol soluble fraction with more than 50 % LPC was produced. Quadratic models with R² > 0.9 were developed to describe the relationship between the processing parameters and the responses in the 3 × 3 full factorial experiment. Both ethanol soluble fraction yield and LPC recovery increased with increasing temperature and ethanol/lysolecithin ratio. LPC concentration in the ethanol soluble fraction was enhanced with decreasing temperature and ethanol/lysolecithin ratio. According to the analysis, ethanol soluble fractions with LPC concentration higher than 66 % could be obtained at temperatures of 0–40 °C and an ethanol/lysolecithin ratio of 2:1 (v/w).