Liquefaction of lignin by polyethyleneglycol and glycerol

Enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL), isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysis residues of the biomass, was liquefied using the mixed solvents of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and glycerol at the temperature of 130-170°C with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The influences of liquefaction parameters, such as the molecular weight of PEG, mass ratio of sulfuric acid to EHL, liquefaction temperature and time, and mass ratio of liquid (liquefying cosolvent) to solid (EHL) on the residue content and hydroxyl number were discussed. The FT-IR spectrum result showed that the liquefaction product of EHL was polyether polyol. The hydroxyl number of the liquefaction product was 80-120 mgKOH/g higher than that of PEG.     

SO3H-functionalized ionic liquid: efficient catalyst for bagasse liquefaction

Liquefaction is a process for the production of biofuel or value-added biochemicals from non-food biomass. SO₃H-, COOH-functionalized and HSO₄-paired imidazolium ionic liquids were shown to be efficient catalysts for bagasse liquefaction in hot compressed water. Using SO₃H-functionalized ionic liquid, 96.1% of bagasse was liquefied and 50.6% was selectively converted to low-boiling biochemicals at 543 K. The degree of liquefaction and selectivity for low-boiling products increased and the average molecular weight of the tetrahydrofuran soluble products decreased with increasing acidic strength of ionic liquids. Analysis of products and comparative characterization of raw materials and residues suggested that both catalytic liquefaction and hydrolysis processes contribute to the high conversion of bagasse. A possible liquefaction mechanism based on the generation of 3-cyclohexyl-1-propanol, one of the main products, is proposed.     

我国玉米自交系茎秆性状多样性分析

研究我国玉米自交系茎秆性状特征及其多样性,是培育宜机收玉米品种的重要前提。本研究以兰卡斯特、PB、四平头、旅大红骨和瑞德五大主要类群70份主要玉米自交系为材料,调查12个茎秆相关性状(茎高、穗位高、穗位系数、茎节数、穗位节、穗节系数、穗茎长、穗茎粗、茎鲜重、茎干重、含糖量和含水量),分析性状相关性和类群多样性。结果表明,我国地方种质四平头和旅大红骨茎秆性状表型变异丰富;灌浆期玉米茎秆含水量比较稳定;玉米植株高度与茎节长度显著相关;玉米雌、雄穗节之间的节间数比较恒定;玉米茎秆含糖量与茎节长度、茎粗、果穗着生位置有关;有效降低穗位高度应从降低果穗着生节入手;类群茎秆特征鲜明:兰卡斯特茎节较少,瑞德茎秆较粗,PB茎秆较细,旅大红骨茎秆较粗、茎节较短,四平头植株较矮、茎秆含糖量较低、干物质含量较低;兰卡斯特×四平头和兰卡斯特×PB类群间存在较强的生物量及籽粒产量杂种优势;挖掘和利用茎节较长、穗位较低的玉米地方种质是我国宜机收玉米育种的技术途径。本研究结果对玉米育种具有重要指导意义。     

干旱对东北春玉米生长发育和产量的影响

选取玉米品种丹玉39为供试材料,利用大型农田水分控制试验场,采用大田池栽方式,在玉米三叶-拔节期、拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期分别开展中度干旱胁迫及复水控制对比试验,分析3个关键生育时期干旱胁迫对春玉米生长发育和产量的影响.结果表明：与水分适宜对照（CK）相比,三叶-拔节期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期推迟13 d,至拔节普遍期,株高偏低29.8%,叶面积偏小41.2%,复水后,株高和产量得到较大程度恢复,果穗性状和最终产量差异不大;拔节-吐丝期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短7 d,至吐丝普遍期,株高偏低18.6%,叶面积偏小14.1%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降6.9%、19.1%、28.1%和29.4%,空秆率增加13.3%;吐丝-乳熟期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短15 d,生长至乳熟普遍期,株高偏低2.3%,叶面积偏小37.3%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降9.2%、24.1%、30.8%和27.9%,空秆率增加24.5%.拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期干旱胁迫处理并复水后,玉米株高恢复不明显,产量降幅显著.     

Reprogrammed endophytic microbial community in maize stalk induced by Trichoderma asperellum biocontrol agent against Fusarium diseases and mycotoxin accumulation

Maize stalk rot and ear rot, caused by Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium verticillioides, respectively, are major diseases that threaten the sustainable production of maize. In this study, an artificial inoculation assay demonstrated that the control efficacy of maize stalk rot and ear rot by Trichoderma asperellum granules were 49.83 % and 39.63 %, respectively. By high-throughput sequencing of maize plants, a total of 76 196 ITS1 sequences and 887 226 V3V4 16S rRNA sequences were analyzed and were grouped into 2934 fungal and 24 248 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. It revealed a significantly higher endophytic microbial abundance in the stem tissue of plants grown in T. asperellum-treated soil than in those grown in the control, with the largest increase observed in the basal stem section. In addition, the endophytic microbial diversity and corresponding control effects all gradually decreased from the basal to apical parts of the stem in plants grown in Trichoderma-treated soil, indicating that Trichoderma stimulated a more significant effect on the defense system in the basal section of the stalk than in the apical parts of plants. Furthermore, the accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) decreased in the stem and ear of maize grown in T. asperellum-treated soil.     

Effect of neighbouring plants on the yield of potatoes from seed tubers affected with gangrene (Phoma foveata) or from plants affected with stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani)

Healthy seed tubers and seed tubers with gangrene or inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani to induce stem canker were planted 38 or 76 cm apart or alternately at 38 cm spacing in 2-row (1985) or 4-row (1986) plots at Rothamsted.
At 38 cm spacing, stem canker decreased yield by 5% and 8% respectively in 1985 and 1986 and gangrene by 5% and 14%, but usually by twice these amounts when seed was spaced at 76 cm. In all experiments, yields from plots with alternate healthy and inoculated seed (50% disease) were similar to yields from healthy seed, although within these mixed populations individual plant yields from healthy seed were larger and those from diseased seed were smaller than from plots of healthy or inoculated seed respectively. Samples in August showed a similar effect on fresh weight of foliage.
Disease usually decreased the number of stemdplant but in 1985 gangrene increased stem numbers and probably accounted for small amounts of compensatory growth from neighbouring healthy plants.     

Seasonal variation in the response of Hagberg falling and liquefaciton numbers to propiconazole fungicide in wheat

The hypothesis was tested that seasonal differences in the response to propiconazole fungicide of hagberg failling and liquefaction numbers are related to grain drying rate, as indicated by potential evaportranspiration. The response of Hagberg failling and liquefaciton numbers to late-season applicaitions of propiconazole was calculated using data from a field experiments in each of the years 1981 to 1990 on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Agalong grown with similar husbandry at one site. Cumulative potential evapotranspiration was calculated over seven different periods during grain ripening. No visible sprouting occurred in any experiment and Hagberg falling number was above 250 s in nine of the 10 years. Disease severity on the flag leaf was less than 7% in nine of the 10 years, and diseases were generally controlled well by propiconazole. There were no significant relationships between the response of Hagberg falling number and any of the potential evapotranspiration variables. The response of liquefaction number was exponentially related to each of three cumulative potential evapotranspiration variables which covered periods before the estimated date of 40% moisture content. Years with lower cumulative potential evapotranspiration gave the greater responses, but the relationships were considerably influenced by the two lowest potential evapotranspiration years. It was concluded that these data provide indirect evidence that the response of Hagberg falling number (when transformed to liquefaction number) to fungicide is mediated through grain drying rate, and furthermore that the results are compatible with the hypothesis that pre-maturity alpha-amylase activity is stimulated by slow grain drying.     

Evaluation of crop residues of North Gujarat

The available quantities of residues of castor, pearl millet, mustard and potato were estimated on per hectare basis. Tensile strength and central load-bearing capactiy of castor stem were measured to determine its usefullness in rural housing. The nutritive value of shells and leaves of castor, mustard straw and potato haulm were determined to assess their use as manure. The calorific value of stalk and shell of castor, stalk and straw of mustard and husk of pearl millet was also determined to study their fuel value. The study shows that the castor stalks may be utilised in rural housing. The castor shells and leaves, pearl millet husk, mustard straw and potato haulm are useful in composting and biogas generation. The calorific values of stalk and straw of mustard and castor stalks show their promise for direct burning.     

Fractionation of the Biopolyols from Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Production of Rigid Foams

The objective of this investigation was to find a simple method for the production of phenolic-rich products and sugar derivatives via separation of liquefied lignocellulosic materials. After liquefaction, the liquefied products were separated by addition of a sufficient amount of water. It was found that those hydrophobic phenolics could be largely separated from aqueous solutions. Preparation of polyurethane foams using biopolyol and isocyanate was studied. Water was used as an environmentally friendly blowing agent. The factors influencing the cell structure of foams such as catalyst, dosage of blowing agent, and mass ratio of biopolyol to PEG were studied. The microstructure of synthesized foams was characterized by SEM.     

On the mystery of the golden angle in phyllotaxis

Phyllotaxis, the arrangement of leaves around a stem, shows in the vast majority of cases a regularity in the divergence angle of subsequent leaves which divide the whole circle into regular fractions. These are in most cases rational fractions of two Fibonacci numbers in an alternating series, converging towards the irrational limit of the golden section, corresponding to the golden divergence angle of 137.5 . . . degrees. This peculiarity was a long‐standing mystery. Here, it is related to the evolutionary pressure of optimal light capture for maximal photosynthetic activity. A model is established which relates minimal shadowing for the lower leaves to the divergence angle. Numerical results of this model agree well with semi‐empirical data on the dependence of light capture from the divergence angle. The basic shadow function of the model is also related with the demand of minimal shadowing for the angular separation of leaves and obtain, using elementary number theory, as solution the golden section. Further numerical studies show that the rational approach to the golden section (Schimper–Braun series) is related to the leaf width and the number of leaves of the plant.     

Distribution of second generation European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, egg masses in field corn and relationship to subsequent tunneling damage

The relationship between second generation European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) egg mass numbers and subsequent field corn damage, as measured by stalk cavity numbers, was studied in 79 fields in northeastern North Carolina over three years. A mean of 0.028 egg masses per plant (645 egg masses/23400 plants) was found over the course of the study. Significant differences in oviposition rate were detected between fields and years. Ca. 85% of egg masses were deposited in a five leaf zone surrounding the primary ear; of these, 89% were found on the lower four leaves in this zone. Egg masses appeared to be distributed randomly within fields but at low rates of incidence, and oviposition was relatively uniform between sampling areas within individual fields. Under moderate to high oviposition pressure (mean number of egg masses per plant over the duration of the oviposition period >ca. 0.02), eggs laid during the early phases of the oviposition period account for more subsequent stalk damage than eggs laid during the later phases of the oviposition period. Variations in second generation egg mass numbers accounted for ca. 70% of variation in stalk cavity numbers.     

Ultrasonically assisted liquefaction of lignocellulosic materials

In our research, we have utilized high energy ultrasound for the liquefaction of different lignocellulosic materials, wood wastes in particular. We developed a highly efficient way of transforming this biomass waste into valuable chemicals. It was found, that the reaction yield in all experiments was high and that the reaction times were shortened up to nine times when using the ultrasound process with smaller residual particles and with no influence on the hydroxyl number of the final products. The use of the ultrasound process inhibits the formation of the large molecular structures during the liquefaction from the degradation products, by keeping the reactive segments apart and due to such a short reaction time being used. The short reaction time and subsequent low energy consumption for the liquefaction reaction leads to the creation of the new method for the transformation of the wood waste materials into valuable chemicals.     

Comparative studies of products produced from four different biomass samples via deoxy-liquefaction

The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution of products, i.e. gas, liquid oil and char from four different biomass samples (legume straw, corn stalk, cotton stalk and wheat straw) and analysis of the oil for the differences in the hydrocarbon composition with respect to the materials by deoxygenate liquefaction (abbr. deoxy-liquefaction). GC/MS was used to analyze the gas and oil components. According to the similarity of the natural petroleum and bio-petroleum, a new standard for bio-petroleum was established in this paper. The striking characteristic of the bio-petroleum was H/C>1.5, oxygen content <6% and the HHV>40 MJ/kg, containing mainly alkanes, cycloalkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. In this paper, only the oil produced from legume straw and corn stalk could be called bio-petroleum. The oil derived from different samples contained almost the same compounds, while the relative content varied based on the different content of the main biomass components (lignin and holocellulose). The gaseous products were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen. In addition, small amount of ethylene, ethane and propane was also observed in gas. The major gas product was carbon dioxide (81.29-86.33%) for all samples.     

小麦籽粒充实期氮素的吸收和再分配及6－苄氨基嘌呤的调节作用

小麦从开花至成熟,其根、茎和叶中的Ｎ素不断地进行着分配和再分配,主要是向穗子输出。成熟时穗Ｎ含量占植株总Ｎ的８２％。在总Ｎ净输出的同时各营养器官也有相当程度的对当前土壤Ｎ的净吸收。在籽粒充实阶段用ＢＡ处理叶式穗均影响营养器官及穗子的Ｎ素吸收、分配和再分配。     

Influence of ejaculation frequency on semen characteristics in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from 6 chimpanzees and the spontaneously liquefied fraction and the remaining coagulum were studied separately. When semen was collected once or twice a week, large intra-individual variations were observed for all measures. The liquefied fraction represented 26.5 +/- 3.2% (weighted mean +/- s.d.) of the total ejaculate but contained 51.3 +/- 3.8% of all emitted spermatozoa. Fructose concentration was higher in the coagulum than in the liquefied fraction (29.3 +/- 3.0 mumol/ml vs 12.0 +/- 2.7 mumol/ml, P less than 0.001) whereas acid phosphatase was less concentrated in the coagulum than in the liquefied fraction (3.5 +/- 0.3 x 10(3) IU/ml vs 13.0 +/- 0.9 x 10(3) IU/ml, P less than 0.001). L-Carnitine and citrate concentrations did not differ between the two fractions of the ejaculate. When semen collection was repeated every hour for 5 h, the ejaculate volume increased from 2.6 +/- 0.7 to 4.7 +/- 0.6 ml (P less than 0.001), whereas total sperm count decreased from 1278 +/- 872 x 10(6) to 587 +/- 329 x 10(6) (P less than 0.05) between the 1st and the 6th ejaculate. In the spontaneously liquefied fraction, the sperm count decreased from 984 to 369 x 10(6). The 6 successive ejaculates gave a total of 20.2 +/- 7.6 ml and 4278 +/- 2884 x 10(6) spermatozoa. The increase of the ejaculate volume was essentially due to an increase of the volume of the coagulum which closely correlated with total amount of fructose (from seminal vesicles) (r = 0.913, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Development of an enzymatic procedure to produce high-protein amaranth flour

Summary A basic procedure was developed to produce high-protein amaranth flour (HPAF) using a commercial preparation of heat-stable alpha-amylase. Slurries (20%, w/v) of gelatinized whole flour were liquefied at 70 and 90°C, pH 6.5, 0.1% (w/v) enzyme concentration and 30 min hydrolysis time. Protein content of raw flour was increased from 15 to 29.6 or 39.3% at liquefaction temperatures of 70 or 90°C, respectively. Some physicochemical and functional properties of HPAF were assessed. HPAF might be used as a dry milk extender.     

Production and characterization of biopolyols and polyurethane foams from crude glycerol based liquefaction of soybean straw

The feasibility of using crude glycerol to liquefy soybean straw for the production of biopolyols and polyurethane (PU) foams was investigated in this study. Liquefaction conditions of 240 °C, >180 min, 3% sulfuric acid loading, and 10-15% biomass loading were preferred for the production of biopolyols with promising material properties. Biopolyols produced under preferential conditions showed hydroxyl numbers from 440 to 540 mg KOH/g, acid numbers below 5 mg KOH/g, and viscosities from 16 to 45 Pa.s. PU foams produced under preferential conditions showed densities from 0.033 to 0.037 g/cm³ and compressive strength from 148 to 227 kPa. These results suggest that crude glycerol can be used as an alternative solvent for the liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass such as soybean straw for the production of biopolyols and PU foams. The produced biopolyols and PU foams showed material properties comparable to their analogs from petroleum solvent based liquefaction processes.     

In vivo assessment of tumor-induced nonspecific suppression of contact sensitivity

Summary Normal BALB/c mice were assessed for 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact sensitivity following adoptive transfer of macrophages (Mo). T cells, or their derived products, from normal or tumor-bearing hosts (TBH). Contact sensitivity (CS) was measured by a quantitative radioisotopic ear assay, a total in vivo system based on localization of IP-injected iodinated human serum albumin ([¹²⁵I]HSA) in the DNFB-challenged ear. Adoptive transfer of low or high doses of TBH T cells or their derived supernatants into normal recipients suppresed their responsiveness, while Mo supernatants enhanced it. Moreover, in all cases adoptive transfer of TBH cells or supernatants resulted in a lower CS response than did their normal counterparts. These results further corroborate our previous in vitro data indicating that T cells, or Mo and T cell soluble products, possess immunoregulatory capabilities in vivo.Abbreviations DNFB 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene - TBH tumor-bearing host - Mo macrophages - ¹²⁵I-HSA iodinated-human serum albumin - CMI cell-mediated immunity - CS contact sensitivity; Ig, immunoglobulin - C complement     

C and N Mobilization from Stalk and Leaves during Kernel Filling by C and N Tracing in Zea mays L

The sink capacity of the stalk in Zea mays L. (cv DEA) during the elongation period was previously investigated with ¹³C and ¹⁵N tracing. The chase experiment described here demonstrates the different behavior of intermediary reserves for C and N remobilization until full maturity of the kernels. Carbon incorporated during stalk elongation participated mainly in cellulose formation in vegetative organs appearing after the labeling period; the remobilization to kernels was low (0.5%). Soluble carbohydrates and proteins were the main intermediary sink compounds, starch being little remobilized. N first incorporated in roots, sheaths, stalk, blades was translocated to the kernel; 42% of the labeled N were recovered in kernels where they represented 8% of the total N. Cob, husk, and shank acted first as N sinks and then as N sources during ear development. It appeared that aminoacids used for synthesis of kernel proteins have a common origin, except for glutelin G₃.     

Liquefaction of cornstalk in hot-compressed phenol–water medium to phenolic feedstock for the synthesis of phenol–formaldehyde resin

Cornstalk powders were effectively liquefied in a hot-compressed phenol–water medium (1:4 wt/wt). The optimum liquefaction temperature was around 350 °C, where the liquid yield attained a maximum at about 70 wt%. The addition of sodium carbonate showed negligible effect over the Liquefaction product yields. When liquefied in phenol–water medium, essentially no phenol was combined with the liquid products, and the cornstalk-derived bio-oils were partially degraded monomeric and oligomeric products with a broad molecular distribution. Resol type bio-based phenol formaldehyde resins were readily synthesized from the cornstalk-derived bio-oils catalyzed by sodium hydroxide.