Characterization and properties of blended cement matrices containing activated bamboo leaf wastes

The worldwide production of bamboo generates large volumes of leaf wastes, which are deposited in landfills or burned in an uncontrolled manner, with negative effects in the environment. The ash obtained by calcining of the bamboo leaf waste, shows good qualities as supplementary cementing material for the production of blended cements. The current paper shows a detailed scientific study of a Brazilian bamboo leaf ash (BLA) calcined at 600 degrees C in small scale condition, by using different techniques (XRF, XRD, SEM/EDX, FT-IR, TG/DTG) and technical study in order. to analyse the behaviour of this ash in blended cements elaborated with 10% and 20% by mass of BLA. The results stated that this ash shows a very high pozzolanic activity, with a reaction rate constant K of the order of 10(-1)/h and type I CSH gel was the main hydrated phase obtained from pozzolanic reaction. The BLA blended cements (10% and 20%) complied with the physical and mechanical requirements of the existing European standards. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical characterization and in vitro biological activity of four tropical legumes, Styzolobium aterrimum L., Styzolobium deeringianum, Leucaena leucocephala, and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, as compared with a tropical grass, Cynodon spp. for the use in ruminant diets

Leucaena leucocephala (LEU) and three under-utilized tanniferous legumes, Styzolobium aterrimum L. (STA), Styzolobium deeringianum (STD), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIC) were chemically characterized and the biological activity of tannins was evaluated using in vitro simulated ruminal fermentation through tannin-binding polyethylene glycol (PEG) and compared with a non-tanniferous tropical grass hay, Cynodon spp. (CYN). The Hohenheim gas test was used and gas production (GP) was recorded at 4, 8, 12, 24, 32, 48, 56, 72, 80, and 96 h incubation with and without PEG. Kinetic parameters were estimated by an exponential model. STA, STD, and LEU contained higher (P < 0.05) crude protein than MIC, which had greater neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. Total phenols, total tannins, and condensed tannins (CT) were consistently the highest in MIC. Gas production was the lowest from MIC (P < 0.05) and the highest in LEU and STA. MIC + PEG largely reduced (P < 0.05) the lag phase and the fractional rate of fermentation and increased potential GP. Kinetic parameters of STA + PEG and LEU + PEG were not affected. LEU + PEG produced greater gas increment (P < 0.05) than STD + PEG, although both legumes had the same CT. All legumes except MIC were more extensively degraded than CYN. However, fermentation of the legumes was differently affected by the presence and proportions of CT, indigestible fibre or both.