Kinetic Modelling of Vitamin C Degradation in Leafy Vegetables during Blanching
Nuhu Mamman Musa,
Maryam Ibrahim,
Saratu Yakubu,
Usman Aliyu Mohammed,
Atuman Samaila Joel
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2017
Pages:
173-179
Received:
20 June 2017
Accepted:
29 August 2017
Published:
12 September 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.cbe.20170204.11
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Abstract: Three different commonly used leafy vegetables in Nigeria (moringa oleifera, hibiscus esculentus and hibiscus sabdarifa) were analysed for their ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) contents. The vegetables were blanched in a steam blancher for 1- 6 minutes to analyse the effect of blanching time on their vitamin C content. Hibiscus esculentus had the lowest ascorbic acid content while hibiscus sabdarifa had the highest of Vitamin C concentration before blanching. After blanching for 6 minutes, hibiscus esculentus, Moringa oleifera and Hibiscus esculantus lost 69.7%, 64.2% and 54.2% of their initial Vitamin C contents respectively. Integral fitting of the experimental data shows that the kinetic degradation of ascorbic acid in all three vegetables follows first order reaction mechanism. The kinetic model parameters were determined using the integral method of data analysis for each vegetable. The pattern of ascorbic acid degradation in all the three vegetables was similar despite their different initial contents.
Abstract: Three different commonly used leafy vegetables in Nigeria (moringa oleifera, hibiscus esculentus and hibiscus sabdarifa) were analysed for their ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) contents. The vegetables were blanched in a steam blancher for 1- 6 minutes to analyse the effect of blanching time on their vitamin C content. Hibiscus esculentus had the lowest ...
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Potentiality of Tall Oil as Preservative for Wood
Kelly Bossardi Dias,
Ricardo Marques Barreiros
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2017
Pages:
180-183
Received:
10 October 2017
Accepted:
20 November 2017
Published:
2 January 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.cbe.20170204.12
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Abstract: For environmental reasons, both the preservation of traditional wood and the use of resistant wood species are subject to political and consumption restrictions. It is known that the effectiveness of traditional wood preservation systems is due to the biocidal effect of the products used, but, consequently, they pollute the environment. And this has generated the need to develop less aggressive condom treatments for health and the environment with sustainable principles. Thus, the aim of research has been to develop environmentally correct and effective products against the attack of biodeteriorating agents. A viable alternative that contains interesting inhibiting properties is Tall Oil, which is a natural renewable source oil. Tall Oil is an industrially generated by-product in the production of kraft pulp. This by-product is not a pure triglyceride compound, but a mixture of fatty acids, resin acids and unsaponess. The use of Tall Oil and its derivatives as a protective agent in wood has been considered promising. It can be used pure, whether crude or distilled; and even in mixtures with efficient biocides, but leachable as boron. However research is still needed including the characterization of Tall Oil products, the determination of the protective agent and the environmental aspects.
Abstract: For environmental reasons, both the preservation of traditional wood and the use of resistant wood species are subject to political and consumption restrictions. It is known that the effectiveness of traditional wood preservation systems is due to the biocidal effect of the products used, but, consequently, they pollute the environment. And this ha...
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Impact of Water Hyacinth (Eicchornia crassipes) as a Feedstock for Biogas Production
Edward Kwaku Armah,
Bright Boafo Boamah,
Gifty Oppong Boakye
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2017
Pages:
184-188
Received:
21 November 2017
Accepted:
28 November 2017
Published:
2 January 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.cbe.20170204.13
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Abstract: Globally, biogas is considered as a clean and renewable form of energy that could replace the increasing non-renewable energy usages. In view of this, there is an increasing demand for energy crops and animal manures for an eco-friendly energy source to supplement fossil fuel, aid in heat production and for electricity generation. Biochemical methane potential test is generally used to determine the possible methane that can be obtained from feedstocks. This study, however, aims at optimizing the anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth, Eicchornia crassipes with cattle manure in a biochemical methane potential test, controlled at mesophilic temperature (37 ± 1). Biodigester A (with the least methane yield) contained only the inoculum and was used as the blank, biodigester B (1:1 feedstock to inoculum ratio) and biodigester C (highest methane yield at 1:4 feedstocks to inoculum ratio) contained both the inoculum and the feedstock at different loading rates. Methane production was measured for a retention period of 30 days using three 1000ml Schott bottles as biodigesters in batch mode. Eicchornia crassipes was characterized in the batch reactor to enable the inoculum activity and the biogas volume reported during the 30 days. Qualitatively, the highest methane composition was found to be 60% whiles quantitatively, the cumulative average methane yield was 77ml throughout the study. The higher yield of methane observed in this study gives an indication of lower cost in the purification of the carbon dioxide from the produced biogas to be used in biofuels for electricity generation and also for combined heat and power production. Therefore, water hyacinth has the potential to produce biomethane which can be used to ease the dependency on fossil fuel derived energy and as an alternative energy source for combined heat and energy which is eco-friendly.
Abstract: Globally, biogas is considered as a clean and renewable form of energy that could replace the increasing non-renewable energy usages. In view of this, there is an increasing demand for energy crops and animal manures for an eco-friendly energy source to supplement fossil fuel, aid in heat production and for electricity generation. Biochemical metha...
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