Intensification of hemicellulose hot-water extraction from spruce wood by parameter tuning

The growing population on earth along with diminishing fossil deposits and the climate change debate calls out for a better utilization of renewable, bio-based materials. In a biorefinery perspective, the renewable biomass is converted into many different products such as fuels, chemicals, and materials, quite similar to the petroleum refinery industry. Since forests cover about one third of the land surface on earth, ligno-cellulosic biomass is the most abundant renewable resource available. The natural first step in a biorefinery is separation and isolation of the different compounds the biomass is comprised of. The major components in wood are cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, all of which can be made into various end-products. Today, focus normally lies on utilizing only one component, e.g., the cellulose in the Kraft pulping process. It would be highly desirable to utilize all the different compounds, both from an economical and environmental point of view. The separation process should therefore be optimized. Hemicelluloses can partly be extracted with hot-water prior to pulping. Depending in the severity of the extraction, the hemicelluloses are degraded to various degrees. In order to be able to choose from a variety of different end-products, the hemicelluloses should be as intact as possible after the extraction. The main focus of this work has been on preserving the hemicellulose molar mass throughout the extraction at a high yield by actively controlling the extraction pH at the high temperatures used. Since it has not been possible to measure pH during an extraction due to the high temperatures, the extraction pH has remained a “black box”. Therefore, a high-temperature in-line pH measuring system was developed, validated, and tested for hot-water wood extractions. One crucial step in the measurements is calibration, therefore extensive efforts was put on developing a reliable calibration procedure. Initial extractions with wood showed that the actual extraction pH was ~0.35 pH units higher than previously believed. The measuring system was also equipped with a controller connected to a pump. With this addition it was possible to control the extraction to any desired pH set point. When the pH dropped below the set point, the controller started pumping in alkali and by that the desired set point was maintained very accurately. Analyses of the extracted hemicelluloses showed that less hemicelluloses were extracted at higher pH but with a higher molar-mass. Monomer formation could, at a certain pH level, be completely inhibited. Increasing the temperature, but maintaining a specific pH set point, would speed up the extraction without degrading the molar-mass of the hemicelluloses and thereby intensifying the extraction. The diffusion of the dissolved hemicelluloses from the wood particle is a major part of the extraction process. Therefore, a particle size study ranging from 0.5 mm wood particles to industrial size wood chips was conducted to investigate the internal mass transfer of the hemicelluloses. Unsurprisingly, it showed that hemicelluloses were extracted faster from smaller wood particles than larger although it did not seem to have a substantial effect on the average molar mass of the extracted hemicelluloses. However, smaller particle sizes require more energy to manufacture and thus increases the economic cost. Since bark comprises 10 – 15 % of a tree, it is important to also consider it in a biorefinery concept. Spruce inner and outer bark was hot-water extracted separately to investigate the possibility to isolate the bark hemicelluloses. It was showed that the bark hemicelluloses comprised mostly of pectic material and differed considerably from the wood hemicelluloses. The bark hemicelluloses, or pectins, could be extracted at lower temperatures than the wood hemicelluloses. A chemical characterization, done separately on inner and outer bark, showed that inner bark contained over 10 % stilbene glucosides that could be extracted already at 100 °C with aqueous acetone.

Sellulaasit ja niiden käyttö teollisuudessa

Kandidaatintyön kirjallisuuskatsauksessa esitellään selluloosan entsymaattisen hydrolyysin toimintamekanismi ja kerrotaan sellulaasien käytöstä aiheutuvista eduista ja haitoista eri teollisuussovelluksissa.

Selluloosapohjaisten superkondensaattorien valmistaminen hiilinanoputkista

Tämän työn tarkoitus on seuloa oleelliset prosessiparametrit superkondensaattoreiden elektrodikomposiittien valmistuksessa, jotka vaikuttavat kondensaattorin laatuun. Tarkoitus on tutkia parametreja, joiden avulla prosessia on mahdollista optimoida. Työn tarkoituksena on tutkia myös itse komponenttimateriaalien valmistusvaiheen sekoitusprosessia mitatulla ja laskennallisella seokseen siirtyvällä tehonkulutuksella. Työn kirjallisuusosassa esitetään superkondensaattoreiden rakennetta, toimintamekanismia ja ominaisuuksia sähköenergian varastoijana. Lisäksi tarkastellaan tavallisimpia kondensaattoreihin sisältyviä materiaaleja, erityisesti hiilinanoputkia ja selluloosakuituja. Sekoitusprosesseista tarkastellaan kokeellisessa osassa käytettävien sekoituslaitteita ja niiden toimintamekanismeja komponenttien sekoitusprosesseissa. Kokeellisessa osassa tutkimuskysymyksiksi asetettiin eri sekoitusparametrien (materiaalin määrä ja laatu sekä sekoitusajat) vaikutus superkondensaattorien elektrodiarkkien ominaiskapasitansseihin. Testit suoritettiin LUT Prosessien laboratoriossa, ja testeissä massojen sekoitukseen käytettiin roottoristaattoria ja ultraäänisekoitinta. Lisäksi tutkittiin prosessin skaalausta varten skaalatulla laitteistolla sekoitettuja massanäytteitä. Sekoitusprosessin riittävyyttä varten tutkittiin kokeellisesti käytettyjen sekoituslaitteiden tehonkulutusta. Lisäksi roottoristaattorille tehtiin laskentaohjelmalla virtaussimulaatio paikallisen tehonkulutuksen selvittämiseksi Testeissä todettiin tutkittujen parametrien vaikutus, mutta tulosten perusteella varsinaista optimointia ei kyetty tekemään. Tulokset kuitenkin antavat suunnan, johon prosessia voi optimointia varten kehittää. Myös sekoitukseen todettiin siirtyvän suuri määrä tehoa tutkituilla laitteilla, mitä voidaan pitää mahdollisesti riittävänä käytettyjen komponenttien sekoitukseen.

CPU0213, a novel endothelin type A and type B receptor antagonist, protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The efficacy of endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is controversial, and the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CPU0123, a novel endothelin type A and type B receptor antagonist, on myocardial I/R injury and to explore the mechanisms involved. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomized to three groups (6-7 per group): group 1, Sham; group 2, I/R + vehicle. Rats were subjected to in vivo myocardial I/R injury by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (1 mL/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately prior to coronary occlusion. Group 3, I/R + CPU0213. Rats were subjected to identical surgical procedures and CPU0213 (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately prior to coronary occlusion. Infarct size, cardiac function and biochemical changes were measured. CPU0213 pretreatment reduced infarct size as a percentage of the ischemic area by 44.5% (I/R + vehicle: 61.3 ± 3.2 vs I/R + CPU0213: 34.0 ± 5.5%, P < 0.05) and improved ejection fraction by 17.2% (I/R + vehicle: 58.4 ± 2.8 vs I/R + CPU0213: 68.5 ± 2.2%, P < 0.05) compared to vehicle-treated animals. This protection was associated with inhibition of myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, reduction in Akt (protein kinase B) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation induced by myocardial I/R injury was limited by CPU0213 (P < 0.05). These data suggest that CPU0123, a non-selective antagonist, has protective effects against myocardial I/R injury in rats, which may be related to the Akt/eNOS pathway.

Cell wall polysaccharides of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The soluble and insoluble cotyledon (SPF-Co and IPF-Co) and tegument (SPF-Te and IPF-Te) cell wall polymer fractions of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were isolated using a chemical-enzymatic method. The sugar composition showed that SPF-Co was constituted of 38.6% arabinose, 23.4% uronic acids, 12.7% galactose, 11.2% xylose, 6.4% mannose and 6.1% glucose, probably derived from slightly branched and weakly bound polymers. The IPF-Co was fractionated with chelating agent (CDTA) and with increasing concentrations of NaOH. The bulk of the cell wall polymers (29.4%) were extracted with 4.0M NaOH and this fraction contained mainly arabinose (55.0%), uronic acid (18.9%), glucose (10.7%), xylose (10.3%) and galactose (3.4%). About 8.7% and 10.6% of the polymers were solubilised with CDTA and 0.01M NaOH respectively and were constituted of arabinose (52.0 and 45.9%), uronic acids (25.8 and 29.8%), xylose (9.6 and 10.2%), galactose (6.1 and 3.9%) and glucose (6.5 and 3.8%). The cell wall polymers were also constituted of small amounts (5.6 and 7.2%) of cellulose (CEL) and of non-extractable cell wall polymers (NECW). About 16.8% and 17.2% of the polymers were solubilised with 0.5 and 1.0M NaOH and contained, respectively, 92.1 and 90.7% of glucose derived from starch (IST). The neutral sugar and polymers solubilization profiles showed that weakly bound pectins are present mainly in SPF-Co (water-soluble), CDTA and 0.01-0.1M NaOH soluble fractions. Less soluble, highly cross-linked pectins were solubilised with 4.0M NaOH. This pectin is arabinose-rich, probably highly branched and has a higher molecular weight than the pectin present in SPF-Co, CDTA and 0.01-0.1M NaOH fractions.

Feasibility of industrial implementation of laser cutting into paper making machine

Laser cutting implementation possibilities into paper making machine was studied as the main objective of the work. Laser cutting technology application was considered as a replacement tool for conventional cutting methods used in paper making machines for longitudinal cutting such as edge trimming at different paper making process and tambour roll slitting. Laser cutting of paper was tested in 70’s for the first time. Since then, laser cutting and processing has been applied for paper materials with different level of success in industry. Laser cutting can be employed for longitudinal cutting of paper web in machine direction. The most common conventional cutting methods include water jet cutting and rotating slitting blades applied in paper making machines. Cutting with CO2 laser fulfils basic requirements for cutting quality, applicability to material and cutting speeds in all locations where longitudinal cutting is needed. Literature review provided description of advantages, disadvantages and challenges of laser technology when it was applied for cutting of paper material with particular attention to cutting of moving paper web. Based on studied laser cutting capabilities and problem definition of conventional cutting technologies, preliminary selection of the most promising application area was carried out. Laser cutting (trimming) of paper web edges in wet end was estimated to be the most promising area where it can be implemented. This assumption was made on the basis of rate of web breaks occurrence. It was found that up to 64 % of total number of web breaks occurred in wet end, particularly in location of so called open draws where paper web was transferred unsupported by wire or felt. Distribution of web breaks in machine cross direction revealed that defects of paper web edge was the main reason of tearing initiation and consequent web break. The assumption was made that laser cutting was capable of improvement of laser cut edge tensile strength due to high cutting quality and sealing effect of the edge after laser cutting. Studies of laser ablation of cellulose supported this claim. Linear energy needed for cutting was calculated with regard to paper web properties in intended laser cutting location. Calculated linear cutting energy was verified with series of laser cutting. Practically obtained laser energy needed for cutting deviated from calculated values. This could be explained by difference in heat transfer via radiation in laser cutting and different absorption characteristics of dry and moist paper material. Laser cut samples (both dry and moist (dry matter content about 25-40%)) were tested for strength properties. It was shown that tensile strength and strain break of laser cut samples are similar to corresponding values of non-laser cut samples. Chosen method, however, did not address tensile strength of laser cut edge in particular. Thus, the assumption of improving strength properties with laser cutting was not fully proved. Laser cutting effect on possible pollution of mill broke (recycling of trimmed edge) was carried out. Laser cut samples (both dry and moist) were tested on the content of dirt particles. The tests revealed that accumulation of dust particles on the surface of moist samples can take place. This has to be taken into account to prevent contamination of pulp suspension when trim waste is recycled. Material loss due to evaporation during laser cutting and amount of solid residues after cutting were evaluated. Edge trimming with laser would result in 0.25 kg/h of solid residues and 2.5 kg/h of lost material due to evaporation. Schemes of laser cutting implementation and needed laser equipment were discussed. Generally, laser cutting system would require two laser sources (one laser source for each cutting zone), set of beam transfer and focusing optics and cutting heads. In order to increase reliability of system, it was suggested that each laser source would have double capacity. That would allow to perform cutting employing one laser source working at full capacity for both cutting zones. Laser technology is in required level at the moment and do not require additional development. Moreover, capacity of speed increase is high due to availability high power laser sources what can support the tendency of speed increase of paper making machines. Laser cutting system would require special roll to maintain cutting. The scheme of such roll was proposed as well as roll integration into paper making machine. Laser cutting can be done in location of central roll in press section, before so-called open draw where many web breaks occur, where it has potential to improve runability of a paper making machine. Economic performance of laser cutting was done as comparison of laser cutting system and water jet cutting working in the same conditions. It was revealed that laser cutting would still be about two times more expensive compared to water jet cutting. This is mainly due to high investment cost of laser equipment and poor energy efficiency of CO2 lasers. Another factor is that laser cutting causes material loss due to evaporation whereas water jet cutting almost does not cause material loss. Despite difficulties of laser cutting implementation in paper making machine, its implementation can be beneficial. The crucial role in that is possibility to improve cut edge strength properties and consequently reduce number of web breaks. Capacity of laser cutting to maintain cutting speeds which exceed current speeds of paper making machines what is another argument to consider laser cutting technology in design of new high speed paper making machines.

Rheological characterization of polysaccharide gels

In this Master’s Thesis work the rheological properties of different polysaccharide gels have been studied. The results of this study are used as a starting point for further investigations of potential applications. In order to understand rheological behavior of studied materials, the commercial hydrocolloids such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan gum and guar gum were used as reference and comparison material for rheological studies. As a part the rheological research the development and implementation of proper measurement methods for studied materials were carried out. In the literature review, short introductions of studied materials and application areas of rheological modifiers are summarized. In addition, basic rheological concepts and key fundamentals are explained. In the experimental part the focus was on the rheological characterization of aqueous suspensions of studied materials. Especially, gel strength and solution stability were investigated. The rheological measurements included both rotational and oscillatory measurements in different conditions, where several chemical and physical properties were measured with Anton Paar MCR302 dynamic rotational rheometer. Studied polysaccharide gels can be clearly defined to be shear thinning and thixotropic materials. They have strong gel forming properties even at low concentrations, which explains the superior thickening behavior for some of the samples. Along with rheological characterization of selected materials the factors behind different phenomena were investigated. To reveal value and potential use of polysaccharide gels the influence of various factors such as concentration, temperature and ionic strength were determined. The measurements showed a clear difference between studied materials under investigated external parameters.

Development of an alternative technology for the oyster mushroom production using liquid inoculum

Pleurotus ostreatus, worldwide known as oyster mushroom, was cultivated in banana straw using inocula produced by two different processes - liquid inoculum and the traditionally used solid inoculum. Different ratios (5, 10, 15, and 20%) were tested. Biological efficiency, yield, productivity, organic matter loss, and moisture of fruiting bodies as well as physical-chemical characteristics of banana straw were studied. Significant differences were observed for cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose content between one and two harvests for both solid and liquid inocula. It was observed that P. ostreatus growth promoted higher degradation of lignin (80.36%), followed by hemicellulose (78.64%) and cellulose (60.37%). Significant differences between one and two harvests were also observed for the production parameters (biological efficiency and yield) for both kinds of inocula, liquid and solid. However, significant differences in productivity between harvests were observed only for solid inoculum.

Effect of addition of different hydrocolloids on pasting, thermal, and rheological properties of cassava starch

Starches and gums are hydrocolloids frequently used in food systems to provide proper texture, moisture, and water mobility. Starch-gum interaction in food systems can change the starch granule swelling and its gelatinization and rheological properties. In this study, the effect of the addition of xanthan gum (XG), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), and carrageenan (CAR) at the concentrations of the 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45% (w/v) on the pasting, thermal, and rheological properties of cassava starch was studied. The swelling power (SP) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the starch gels were also evaluated. The results obtained showed that xanthan gum (XG) had a strong interaction with the cassava starch penetrating between starch granules causing increase in pasting viscosities, SP, storage and loss (G', and G", respectively) modulus and reduction in the setback of the starch; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) greatly increased the pasting viscosities, the SP, and the storage and loss (G', and G", respectively) modulus of the starch-mixtures, mainly due to its greater capacity to hold water and not due to the interaction with cassava starch. Carrageenan (CAR) did not change any of the starch properties since there was no interaction between this gum and cassava starch at the concentrations used.

Postharvest technologies for mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) conservation

The application of technologies to extend the postharvest life of mangosteen fruit was studied and compared to storage at 25 °C/70-75%R.H (25 °C control treatment). The fruits were packed in expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays (5 fruits/tray). Five treatments were carried out at 13 °C/ 90-95% RH: application of carnauba wax coating, lecithin + CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) coating, 50 µm LDPE (low density polyethylene) film coating, 13 µm PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), and non-coated sample (13 °C control treatment). Physicochemical analyses were performed twice a week. A statistical design was completely randomized with 8 repetitions for each treatment plus the control treatment. The results were submitted to variance analysis, and the averages compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Among the quality parameters analyzed, more significant differences were observed for weight loss, texture, and peel moisture content. The results showed that the maximum storage period for mangosteen at 25 °C is two weeks; while storage at13 °C can guarantee the conservation of this fruit for 25 days. Therefore, the treatment at 13 °C/90-95% RH without the use of coatings and films was more effective and economical.

Functionalisation of spruce O-acetyl-galactoglucomannans for barrier and composite applications

The increasing use of energy, food, and materials by the growing population in the world is leading to the situation where alternative solutions from renewable carbon resources are sought after. The growing use of plastics depends on the raw-oil production while oil refining are politically governed and required for the polymer manufacturing is not sustainable in terms of carbon footprint. The amount of packaging is also increasing. Packaging is not only utilising cardboard and paper, but also plastics. The synthetic petroleum-derived plastics and inner-coatings in food packaging can be substituted with polymeric material from the renewable resources. The trees in Finnish forests constitute a huge resource, which ought to be utilised more effectively than it is today. One underutilised component of the forests is the wood-derived hemicelluloses, although Spruce Oacetyl-galactoglucomannans (GGMs) have previously shown high potential for material applications and can be recovered in large scale. Hemicelluloses are hydrophilic in their native state, which restrains the use of them for food packaging as non-dry item. To cope with this challenge, we intended to make GGMs more hydrophobic or amphiphilic by chemical grafting and consequently with the focus of using them for barrier applications. Methods of esterification with anhydrides and cationic etherification with a trimethyl ammonium moiety were established. A method of controlled synthesis to obtain the desired properties by the means of altering temperature, reaction time, the quantity of the reagent, and even the solvent for purification of the products was developed. Numerous analytical tools, such as NMR, FTIR, SEC-MALLS/RI, MALDI-TOF-MS, RP-HPLC and polyelectrolyte titration were used to evaluate the products from different perspectives and to acquire parallel proofs of their chemical structure. Modified GGMs with different degree of substitution and the correlating level of hydrophobicity was applied as coatings on cartonboard and on nanofibrillated cellulose-GGM films to exhibit barrier functionality. The water dispersibility in processing was maintained with GGM esters with low DS. The use of chemically functionalised GGM was evaluated for the use as barriers against water, oxygen and grease for the food packaging purposes. The results show undoubtedly that GGM derivatives exhibit high potential to function as a barrier material in food packaging.

Chemical composition and effects of micronized corn bran on iron bioavailability in rats

The degermination of corn grains by dry milling generates 5% of a fibrous residue. After segregation and micronization, corn bran becomes a potential source of dietary fiber consumption. However, its effect on iron bioavailability has not been reported in the literature. The objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional composition of corn bran and its effects on iron bioavailability using the hemoglobin depletion-repletion method in rats. The animals were divided into two groups: cellulose (control) and corn bran (experimental). The bran had high content of total dietary fiber, especially the insoluble fraction, and low phytate content. Hemoglobin uptake did not differ between groups at the end of repletion period, and the iron relative bioavailability value of the corn bran diet was 104% in comparison to that of the control group. The product evaluated proved to be a potential source of dietary fiber and it showed no negative effects on iron bioavailability.

Optimization and functionality of millet supplemented pasta

Abstract Millets are having superior nutritional qualities and health benefits; hence they can be used for supplementation of pasta. Pasta was prepared using composite flour (CF) of durum wheat semolina (96%) and carrot pomace (4%) supplemented with finger millet flour (FMF, 0-20g), pearl millet flour (PMF, 0-30g) and carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC, 2-4g). Second order polynomial described the effect of FMF, PMF and CMC on lightness, firmness, gruel loss and overall acceptability of extruded pasta products. Results indicate that an increasing proportion of finger and pearl millet flour had signed (p≤0.05) negative effect on lightness, firmness, gruel loss and overall acceptability. However, CMC addition showed significant (p≤0. 05) positive effect on firmness, overall acceptability and negative effect on gruel loss of cooked pasta samples. Numeric optimization results showed that optimum values for extruded pasta were 20g FMF, 12g PMF and 4g CMC per 100g of CF and 34ml water with 0.981 desirability. The pasta developed is nutritionally rich as it contains protein (10.16g), fat (6g), dietary fiber (16.71g), calcium (4.23mg), iron (3.99mg) and zinc (1.682mg) per 100g.

Survey of trace element and dietetic fiber composition of “Leblebi” which is a local snack food consumed in Turkey

Abstract In Turkey and several Middle East countries' people consume “leblebi” which is a traditional snack food made from chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.). Chickpea products are highly nutritive and a cheap food for human consumption and have become an essential part of daily diets in the world. The present study aims to determine the chemical, nutritional and dietary composition of fifty leblebi samples marketed in Turkey. Protein values of the leblebi ranged from 19.4 to 23.9% dehulled and 20.3 to 20.8% for nondehulled leblebi while a value of 19.1% was recorded for chickpeas. Mineral results showed that Potassium (K) was the most abundant element in leblebi ranging from 6514 to 14431 mg/kg. The amount of dietary components neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and cellulose did not vary much between the samples analyzed.

Analytics for the modified kraft pulps

Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena on kehittää sopiva analyyttinen menetelmä muokatun kraft-sellukuidun substituutioasteen (DS) kvantitatiivista määrittämistä varten. Muokkauksella tarkoitetaan tässä yhteydessä joko kovalenttisesti tai adsorption avulla tapahtuvaa molekyylin kiinnittymistä sellukuidun pinnalle. Työn kirjallisuusosuudessa käsitellään lyhyesti eri muokkaustapoja ja yhdisteitä joiden avulla voidaan saavuttaa haluttuja ominaisuuksia sellusta valmistetuille lopputuotteille. Lisäksi kirjallisuusosuudessa käydään läpi käyttötarkoitukseen soveltuvimpia suoria ja epäsuoria analyysimenetelmiä. Analyysimenetelmistä kaikkein lupaavimpia testattiin työn kokeellisessa osassa. Diplomityön kokeellisessa osassa keskityttiin kehittämään muokatulle sellulle kvantitatiivista menetelmää DS:n määrittämiseksi Fourier-muunnos infrapuna-vaimennettu kokonaisheijastus (FTIR-ATR) spektrometrillä. Kirjallisuuskatsauksessa ei löytynyt yhtään dokumentoitua tutkimusta, jossa FTIR-ATR menetelmää olisi käytetty muokatun sellukuidun kvantitatiiviseen tutkimukseen. Muiden analyysimenetelmien, kuten alkuaineanalyysin, termogravimetrisen analyysin (TGA) ja valomikroskopian avulla pyrittiin tuottamaan lisätietoa muokkauksesta. Kvantitatiivisen FTIR-ATR menetelmän kehitykseen käytetyt muokatut sellukuidut olivat selluloosa-asetaattia ja selluloosa betainaattia. Saatujen tulosten perusteella muokattujen sulfiitti- ja kraft sellukuitujen DS:n kvantitatiivinen määrittäminen on mahdollista FTIR-ATR menetelmällä. Vähäinen kalibrointipisteiden määrä vaikeutti tarkan analyysimenetelmän tekemistä. Kehitetyn menetelmän suurimpina ongelmina olivat kiinteiden näytteiden heterogeenisyys sekä mahdollisten epäpuhtauksien tunnistaminen. Jatkotutkimusten avulla kehitettyä menetelmää on kuitenkin mahdollista käyttää muokattujen sellukuitujen jatkuvaan analysointiin selluteollisuudessa.