Optimisation of biodiesel production by sunflower oil transesterification

In this work the transformation process of sunflower oil in order to obtain biodiesel by means of transesterification was studied. Taguchi's methodology was chosen for the optimisation of the most important variables (temperature conditions, reactants proportion and methods of purification), with the purpose of obtaining a high quality biodiesel that fulfils the European pre-legislation with the maximum process yield. Finally, sunflower methyl esters were characterised to test their properties as fuels in diesel engines, such as viscosity, flash point, cold filter plugging point and acid value. Results showed that biodiesel obtained under the optimum conditions is an excellent substitute for fossil fuels.     

Solvent-free glycerolysis of sunflower oil and anchovy oil catalyzed by a 1,3-specific lipase

Solvent-free glycerolysis of sunflower oil catalyzed with lipase D Amano 100 gave the highest partial acylglycerols content at 40°C using an oil:glycerol molar ratio of 1:2 and 500 Units lipase/ g oil. After 6 h, the partial acylglycerols content of the reaction mixture was 53% (w/w). Glycerolysis of anchovy oil catalyzed under the same conditions gave a partial acylglycerols content of 47% (w/w) after 24 h.     

Bioconversion of sunflower oil,rapeseed oil and ricinoleic acid by Candida tropicalis M25

On the basis of mutational analysis, the genes for phosphonate uptake and degradation in Escherichia coli were shown to be organized in a 10.9-kb operon of 14 genes (named phnC to phnP) and induced by phosphate (P_i) starvation [Metcalf and Wanner (1993) J Bacteriol 175: 3430–3442]. The repression of phosphonate utilization by P_i has hindered both the biochemical characterization of the carbon-phosphorus (C-P) lyase activity and the development of improved methods for phosphonate biodegradation in biotechnology. We have cloned the genes phnG to phnP (associated with C-P lyase activity) with the lac promoter to provide expression of C-P lyase in the presence of P_i. A number of strains lacking portions of the phn operon have been constructed. In vivo complementation of the strains, in which phnC to phnP (including both Pn transport and catalysis genes) or phnH to phnP (including only catalysis genes) was deleted, with plasmids carrying various fragments of the phn operon revealed that the expression of phnC-phnP gene products is essential to restore growth on minimal medium with phosphonate as the sole phosphorus source, while phnG-phnM gene products are required for C-P lyase activity as assessed by in vivo methane production from methylphosphonic acid. The minimum size of the DNA required for the whole-cell C-P lyase activity has been determined to be a 5.8-kb fragment, encompassing the phnG to phnM genes. Therefore, there is no requirement for the phnCDE-encoded phosphonate transport system, suggesting that cleavage of the C-P bond may occur on the outer surface of the inner membrane of E. coli cells, releasing the carbon moiety into the periplasm. These data are in agreement with the observation that phosphonates cannot serve as the carbon source for E.␣coli growth. Received: 23 September 1997 / Received revision: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 24 January 1998     

Ethylene production by sunflower cell suspensions : effects of plant growth retardants

From a variety of undifferentiated plant cell suspensions, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-dependent cells of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. Spanners Allzweck) produced large quantities of ethylene. The maximum rate was about 1 nanomole × gram fresh weight⁻¹ × hour⁻¹ during the exponential growth phase. The action of various compounds known to interfere with ethylene formation in plant tissue was studied in sunflower cell suspensions. The influence on ethylene, 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC), and N-malonyl-ACC (MACC) levels suggested that the final steps in ethylene synthesis resemble those of other plant systems. This makes sunflower cells suitable for analyzing the effects of biologically active compounds on cellular ethylene biosynthesis. In particular, plant growth retardants of the norbornenodiazetine and triazole type inhibited ethylene production of sunflower cells. On the other hand, the ACC level was considerably elevated while that of MACC did not change significantly. It is assumed that the conversion of ACC to ethylene catalyzed by the ethylene-forming enzyme was influenced.     

Production of hexanal from hydrolyzed sunflower oil by lipoxygenase and hydroperoxid lyase enzymes

Hexanal was produced from hydrolyzed sunflower oil in two steps: 1) 13-hydroperoxy-9-(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) was formed from linoleic acid (100 mM) by soybean lipoxygenase-1 isoenzyme (Lox-1) with O₂, the reaction resulted 68.7 mM 13-HPOD with a yield of 72%. 2) 13-HPOD (15 mM) was cleaved by spinach leaf hydroperoxide lyase resulting 8.2 mM hexanal (54% yield). Hexanal was isolated from the reaction mixture by repeated steam distillation.     

Hydrolysis of sunflower oil by means of hydrophobic membrane with lipolytic activity

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes of different porosity were used for lipase from Rhizopus immobilization. The immobilized enzyme applied to sunflower oil hydrolysis achieved the activity of 1228 U/m² of the membrane area and the half-life time was calculated to be 7 days.     

Functional group analysis during ozonation of sunflower oil methyl esters by FT-IR and NMR

Ozonation of neat sunflower oil (SFO) methyl esters was monitored by FT-IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. During the early stage of ozonation, ozone absorption was essentially quantitative. This was accompanied by the formation of 1,2,4-trioxolane. IR and NMR spectra of ozonated samples showed that scission of ozonide to give aldehyde were minimal. 1H NMR analysis revealed that the amount of ozonide relative to aldehyde was more than 90% regardless of the extent of ozonation. Complete ozonation was attained after supplying around 0.20 g O3/ml methyl ester after which ozone absorption suddenly dropped to around 25%. At the latter part of ozonation, ozonide and aldehyde reacted with excess ozone to give carboxylic acid. Reaction products were identified according to Criegee mechanism.     

Spatial distribution of oil in groundnut and sunflower seeds by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract. The nuclear magnetic resonance imaging technique has been used to obtain images of different transverse and vertical sections in groundnut and sunflower seeds. Separate images have been obtained for oil and water components in the seeds. The spatial distribution of oil and water inside the seed has been obtained from the detailed analysis of the images. In the immature groundnut seeds obtained commercially, complementary oil and water distributions have been observed. Attempts have been made to explain these results.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyacids from palm acid oil and sunflower oil via addition reaction

In this study aliphatic polyacids were synthesized using palm acid oil (PAO) and sunflower oil (SFO) via addition reaction technique. The synthesized materials were characterized using Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Mixing formic acid and hydrogen peroxide with PAO or SFO at the ratio 3:10:1 produced the lowest iodine value of 10.57 and 9.24 respectively, indicating the increase in epoxidization of both oils. Adding adipic acid to the epoxidized oils at a ratio of 1:10 increases the acid values of SFO and PAO to 11.22 and 6.73 respectively. The existence of multi-acid groups present in synthesized polyacid was confirmed by MALD-ToF-MS. This feature indicates a possible value to the biomaterials development.     

Removal of total lipids and fatty acids from sunflower oil factory effluent by UASB reactor

In this study wastewaters of a sunflower oil factory in Elazig (Turkey) were investigated in a pilot-scale mesophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor by determination of removal of total lipids (TL) and fatty acids (FA). The removal efficiencies of TL and FA (linoleic, oleic, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arashidic, behenic and other FA) were above 70% at organic loading rates (OLR) between 1.6 and 7.8 kg COD/m(3)d and at optimum hydraulic retention times of 2.0 and 2.8 day. The conversion rate of removed COD to methane was between 0.16 and 0.354 m(3) CH(4)/kg COD.     

Novel effects of diets enriched with corn oil or with an olive oil/sunflower oil mixture on vitamin K metabolism and vitamin K-dependent proteins in young men

Little is known of how the fat components of diets influence the absorption and metabolism of vitamin K and the possible consequences to the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent (VKD) proteins in different target organs. We have evaluated the effects of two diets on circulating phylloquinone (K1) and triacylglycerols (TAG). One diet was enriched with corn oil (CO) (also rich in gamma-tocopherol) and the other with an olive/sunflower (O/SO) mixture (rich in alpha-tocopherol). Effects on gamma-carboxylation were assessed from coagulation assays and sensitive assays for undercarboxylated prothrombin (ucFII) and osteocalcin (ucOC). Total plasma matrix Gla-protein (MGP) was also measured. After an initial adjustment diet, 26 healthy young men were fed, in a crossover design, the O/SO or CO diet for 2 weeks. Mean intakes of K1 during consumption of adjustment, O/SO, and CO diets were 225 microg/day, 291 microg/day, and 291 microg/day, respectively. Mean fasting levels of TAG and K1 were both significantly reduced by the CO diet, but not by the O/SO diet. Neither diet reduced FII activity but ucFII became detectable in nine subjects, eight of whom showed this abnormality with both diets. The CO diet induced a rise in ucOC (P < 0.05), which was negatively correlated to ucFII (r = -0.71, P < 0.03). The CO but not O/SO diet induced a decrease of total circulating MGP. We conclude that both oils, notably CO, affected vitamin K absorption and/or metabolism which may increase the requirements for gamma-carboxylation. The mechanism is unclear but may result from interactions of vitamin K with PUFA and/or other lipid components such as vitamin E.     

High moisture twin screw extrusion of sago starch. II. Saccharification as influenced by thermomechanical history

Processing of sago starch in a co-rotating twin screw under high-moisture conditions (34–47% moisture, barrel temperatures 81–147 °C and screw speed 315–486 rpm) was investigated as a pre-treatment for subsequent saccharification. Product thermomechanical history was assessed for the various processing conditions. Specific mechanical energy (SME) consumption was in the range 57–131kWh/kg. Saccharification of the extradates was independent of the processing variables at a higher enzyme concentration of AMG (0.5AGU/g). However, when 0.05 AGU/g AMG was used, saccharification was related to the extrusion variables. Despite a poor negative correlation between saccharification and SME (r = −0.44), a global trend was observed. Die pressure influenced Saccharification (r = −0.45) suggesting that a high melt viscosity (as indicated by high die pressure) resulted in a lower percent of saccharification. Additionally water solubility index (WSI) was influenced by SME to a lesser extent.     

Lipid formation and γ-linolenic acid production by Mucorales fungi grown on sunflower oil

Lipid formation and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) production by 48 species of Mucorales fungi grown on sunflower oil (which consists of 70% linoleic acid ; LA) were studied. The strains accumulated 42·7–65·8% lipid in biomass (7·66–13·39 g l⁻¹). Eight cultures produced more than 200 mg GLA l⁻¹. Highest GLA yields exhibited Mucor mucedo CCF-1384 and Cunninghamella echinulata CCF-103 (379 and 373 mg l⁻¹, respectively). Mortierella alpina CCF-185 synthesized 465 mg l⁻¹ arachidonic acid. While the decrease of LA utilization index (ratio of LA content of cell lipid/LA content of oil source) was accompanied with growth of delipidized biomass and with reduction of lipid accumulation within the cells, high lipid yield was as a consequence of the direct oil source incorporation into intracellular lipid.     

酶法破碎裂殖壶菌提取胞内油脂

采用酶法破碎裂殖壶菌提取胞内油脂,进行单因素实验和正交实验优化酶解反应条件,酶解反应的影响因素主次顺序依次为酶用量、温度、时间、pH,最佳酶解工艺参数:55 ℃、pH 9.5、搅拌反应2.5 h、酶用量为菌体生物量的2%.在该条件下,胞内油脂的提取量高达(81.53±0.33) g/L,过氧化值仅为0.15,酸价为0.24.     

林冠环境对润楠幼苗构型和生物量分配的影响

植物幼苗早期适应对策对种群的更新具有决定性的作用.润楠(Machilus nanmu)是国家Ⅱ级保护植物,是重庆缙云山常绿阔叶林优势乔木树种之一.研究润楠幼苗的适应对策对于维持种群更新和保护常绿阔叶林生物多样性具有重要意义.本研究采集了重庆缙云山常绿阔叶林中不同林冠环境(林窗/林下)下不同年龄阶段(阶段1:1～3年;阶...     

Sustainable preparation of a novel glycerol-free biofuel by using pig pancreatic lipase: Partial 1,3-regiospecific alcoholysis of sunflower oil

The preparation of a novel biofuel denoted as Ecodiesel-100 from the partial 1,3-regiospecific alcoholysis of sunflower oil is reported. Pig pancreatic lipase (PPL) was employed in the reaction as both free and immobilised enzyme on sepiolite. The resulting biofuel is composed of fatty acid ethyl esters and monoglycerides (FAEE/MG) blended in a molar relation 2/1. The novel biofuel has similar physico-chemical properties compared to those of conventional biodiesel and/or petrodiesel, avoiding the production of glycerine as by-product.The biocatalyst was found to be strongly fixed to the inorganic support (87.5%). Nevertheless, the efficiency of the immobilised enzyme was reduced to less than half (42%) compared to that of the free PPL. Quantitative conversions of triglycerides and high yields to FAEE were obtained under mild reaction conditions (20–80 °C, oil/alcohol 2/1 v:v ratio and PPL 0.01–0.1% w/w of total substrate). The immobilised enzyme showed a remarkable stability as well as a great reusability (more than 11 successive reuses) without a significant loss of its initial catalytic activity. Both immobilised and free enzyme exhibited the same reaction mechanism, according to the coincidental results in the Arrhenius parameters (Ln A and E_a). The immobilised PPL was found to be very suitable for the continuous production of biofuel due to its facile recyclability from the reaction mixture.     

The immunotropism of sunflower oil and starch in peroral administration to mice]

It has been shown that per os introduction of sunflower oil and starch to adult thymectomized mice resulted in reconstitution of the number of Thy-I+ spleen cells similar of the glutamic acid effect. Glutamic acid restored the immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), however, sunflower oil and starch were not effective. The influence of these compounds on the immune response to SRBC in normal and sham-thymectomized mice was different: glutamic acid stimulated it, starch had no influence on the immune response, sunflower oil suppressed it.     

Effect of fish oil and sunflower oil supplementation on milk conjugated linoleic acid content for grazing dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding fish oil (FO) and sunflower oil (SFO) to grazing dairy cows’ diets on the temporal changes in milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 CLA). Sixteen Holstein cows were divided into two diet regimen groups. One group (CONT) was fed a basal diet (7.6 kg DM basis) plus 400 g animal fat. The other group (FOSFO) were fed a basal diet plus 100 g of FO and 300 g of SFO (FOSFO). The cows were milked twice a day and milk samples were collected every 3-day for a period of 21 days. Both groups grazed together on pasture ad libitum and fed treatment diets after the morning and afternoon milking. Milk production, milk fat percentages, milk fat yield, milk protein percentages, and milk protein yield were not affected (P>0.05) by treatment diets. The concentrations of cis-9 trans-11 CLA and vaccenic acid (VA) in milk fat were higher (P<0.05) for cows fed the FOSFO over 3 week of lipid supplementation. The concentration of cis-9 trans-11 CLA in milk fat reached maximum on day 3 with both diets and remained relatively constant thereafter. The concentration of VA in milk fat followed the same pattern of temporal changes as cis-9 trans-11 CLA. In conclusion, milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA concentrations increased with FO and SFO supplementation compared with the CONT diet and the increase reached a plateau on day 3 of supplementation and remained relatively constant throughout the remainder of the study.     

Steroid hormone effects on growth and apical dominance of sunflower

External application of estradiol-17β increased shoot growth but decreased root growth of sunflower seedlings. It completely inhibited cotyledonary axillary bud development in decapitated plants at the concentration of 1 μg/plant. Concentrations lower than this promoted cotyledonary axillary bud formation. Testosterone on the other hand inhibited both shoot and root growth and promoted cotyledonary axillary bud formation at all the concentrations used. Progesterone at high (0.25,μg/plant) concentration promoted shoot growth but inhibited root growth. A low concentration (0.1 μg/plant) of progesterone produced the opposite effect.     

Photosynthesis at low water potentials in sunflower: lack of photoinhibitory effects

The losses in chloroplast capacity to fix CO₂ when photosynthesis is reduced at low leaf water potential (ψ₁) have been proposed to result from photoinhibition. We investigated this possibility in soil-grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv IS894) using gas exchange techniques to measure directly the influence of light during dehydration on the in situ chloroplast capacity to fix CO₂. The quantum yield for CO₂ fixation as well as the rate of light- and CO₂-saturated photosynthesis were strongly inhibited at low ψ₁. The extent of inhibition was the same whether the leaves were exposed to high or to low light during dehydration. When intercellular partial pressures of CO₂ were decreased to the compensation point, which was lower than the partial pressures resulting from stomatal closure, the inhibition of the quantum yield was also unaffected. Photoinhibition could be observed only after high light exposures were imposed under nonphysiological low CO₂ and O₂ where both photosynthesis and photorespiration were suppressed. The experiments are the first to test whether gas exchange at low ψ₁ is affected by potentially photoinhibitory conditions and show that the loss in chloroplast capacity to fix CO₂ was entirely the result of a direct effect of water availability on chloroplast function and not photoinhibition.