Thermoanalytical study of cassava starch native and treated with hydrogen peroxide

Starch is one of the most important sources of reserve of carbohydrate in plants and the main source in the human diet due to its abundance in the nature. There no other food ingredient that can be compared with starch in terms of sheer versatility of application in the food industry. Unprocessed native starches are structurally too weak and functionally too restricted for application in today’s advanced food and industrial technologies. The main objective of this study was to compare the thermal behavior of native cassava starch and those treated with hydrogen peroxide, as well as those treated with hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulfate. The cassava starch was extracted from cassava roots (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) and treated by standardized hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) solutions at 1, 2 and 3% (with or without FeSO4 ). Investigated by using they are thermoanalytical techniques: thermogravimetry - TG, differential thermal analysis – DTA and differential scanning calorimetry - DSC, as well as optical microscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry. The results showed the steps of thermal decomposition, changes in temperatures and in gelatinization enthalpy and small changes in crystallinity of the granules.

Bio-hydrogen production based on catalytic reforming of volatiles generated by cellulose pyrolysis: an integrated process for ZnO reduction and zinc nanostructures fabrication

The paper presents a process of cellulose thermal degradation with bio-hydrogen generation and zinc nanostructures synthesis. Production of zinc nanowires and zinc nanoflowers was performed by a novel processes based on cellulose pyrolysis, volatiles reforming and direct reduction of ZnO. The bio-hydrogen generated in situ promoted the ZnO reduction with Zn nanostructures formation by vapor–solid (VS) route. The cellulose and cellulose/ZnO samples were characterized by thermal analyses (TG/DTG/DTA) and the gases evolved were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy (TG/FTIR). The hydrogen was detected by TPR (Temperature Programmed Reaction) tests. The results showed that in the presence of ZnO the cellulose thermal degradation produced larger amounts of H2 when compared to pure cellulose. The process was also carried out in a tubular furnace with N2 atmosphere, at temperatures up to 900 °C, and different heating rates. The nanostructures growth was catalyst-free, without pressure reduction, at temperatures lower than those required in the carbothermal reduction of ZnO with fossil carbon. The nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence (PL). One mechanism was presented in an attempt to explain the synthesis of zinc nanostructures that are crystalline, were obtained without significant re-oxidation and whose morphologies are dependent on the heating rates of the process. This route presents a potential use as an industrial process taking into account the simple operational conditions, the low costs of cellulose and the importance of bio-hydrogen and nanostructured zinc.

Can hydrogen peroxide and quercetin improve production of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla?

Vegetative propagation is considered the best choice for the rapid multiplication of plant species, however, rooting may still present difficulties. Substances, such as auxins, phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide, are recognized as able to improve this process. The aim of the present work was to determine if hydrogen peroxide in combination with quercetin or indole butyric acid, can modify some characteristics related to rooting and development in cuttings of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla. Cuttings were periodically evaluated at 30, 60 and 90 days according to the following criteria: height, diameter and survival percentage. After planting (90 days), a destructive evaluation was performed to determine rooting percentage, average size and number of roots. Polyamines content and polyamine oxidase activity, as biochemical markers of plant development, were determined. No statistically significant differences in height, diameter, survival and rooting percentage, root length and number of roots per cuttings were found. Treatments induced a decrease in putrescine levels and polyamine oxidase activity in roots. For absence of positive responses, the use of these substances as a treatment to improve cutting production is economically unviable.

Dormancy breaking of the fig tree with hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extrate

The supply of cold hours needed to the dormancy breaking of shoots is the limiting factor for the cultivation of temperate climate fruit trees in warmer regions. In subtropical conditions, it is necessary to use chemical products to promote uniform sprouting. This research aimed at evaluating the effect of garlic extract and hydrogen cyanamide in sprouting, growth, production and production cycle of the fig tree. The experiment was conducted during the production cycles of 2011/12 and 2012/13. We used plants from the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos. Production pruning was made in the months of July/2011 and July/2012, and the following treatments were applied immediately after it: 2% hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extract in 4%, 8% and 12% doses, and a control treatment. Split plots were used as the experimental design, with five repetitions in blocks; each plot consisted of five treatments with hydrogen cyanamide, garlic extract and control; the subplots consisted of two production cycles. The use of hydrogen cyanamide promoted an anticipation of sprouting and the use of hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extract promoted a concentration of the productive period, when compared to the control. The estimated garlic extract dose that promoted the highest production per plant was 3%.

Use of Gas Diffusion Electrode for the In Situ Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide in an Electrochemical Flow-By Reactor

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidant that finds application in several areas, but most particularly in the treatment of industrial wastewaters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of applied potential and electrolyte flow conditions on the in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide in an electrochemical flow-by reactor with a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The electrolyses were performed in an aqueous acidic medium using a GDE constructed with conductive black graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene (80:20 w/w). Under laminar flow conditions (flow rate = 50 L/h), hydrogen peroxide was formed in a maximum yield of 414 mg/L after 2 h at -2.25 V vs Pt //Ag/AgCl (global rate constant = 3.1 mg/(L min); energy consumption = 22.1 kWh/kg). Under turbulent flow (300 L/h), the maximum yield obtained was 294 mg/L after 2 h at -1.75 V vs Pt//Ag/AgCl (global rate constant = 2.5 mg/ (L min); energy consumption = 30.1 kWh/kg).

Preparation, structural characterization and catalytic properties of Co/CeO2 catalysts for the steam reforming of ethanol and hydrogen production

In this paper, Co/CeO2 catalysts, with different cobalt contents were prepared by the polymeric precursor method and were evaluated for the steam reforming of ethanol. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 physisorption (BET method), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible diffuse reflectance, temperature programmed reduction analysis (TPR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). It was observed that the catalytic behavior could be influenced by the experimental conditions and the nature of the catalyst employed. Physical-chemical characterizations revealed that the cobalt content of the catalyst influences the metal-support interaction which results in distinct catalyst performances. The catalyst with the highest cobalt content showed the best performance among the catalysts tested, exhibiting complete ethanol conversion, hydrogen selectivity close to 66% and good stability at a reaction temperature of 600 degrees C. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inactivation of Neosartorya fischeri and Paecilomyces variotii on paperboard packaging material by hydrogen peroxide and heat

This study reports on the influence of heat and hydrogen peroxide combination on the inactivation kinetics of two heat resistant molds: Neosartorya fischeri and Paecilomyces variotii. Spores of different ages (1 and 4 months) of these molds were prepared and D-values (the time required at certain temperature/hydrogen peroxide combination to inactivate 90% of the mold ascospores) were determined using thermal death tubes. D-values found for P. variotii ranged from 1.2 to 25.1 s after exposure to different combinations of heat (40 or 60 degrees C) and hydrogen peroxide (35 or 40% w/w) while for N. fischeri they varied from 2.7 to 14.3 s after exposure to the same hydrogen peroxide concentrations and higher temperatures (60 or 70 degrees C). The influence of temperature and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the d-values varied with the genus of mold and their ages. A synergistic effect of heat and hydrogen peroxide in reducing D-values of Paecilomyces variotti and N. fischeri has been observed. In addition to strict control of temperature, time and hydrogen concentration, hygienic storage and handling of laminated paperboard material must be considered to reduce the probability of package's contamination. All these measures together will ensure package's sterility that is imperative for the effectiveness of aseptic processing and consequently to ensure the microbiological stability of processed foods during shelf-life. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of hydrogen bond formation on the elastic molecular scattering: a case study with methanol

Rayleigh optical activities of small hydrogen-bonded methanol clusters containing two to five molecules are reported. For the methanol trimer, tetramer, and pentamer both cyclic and linear structures are considered. After the geometry optimizations, the dipole moments and the dipole polarizabilities (mean, interaction, and anisotropic components) are calculated using HF, MP2 and DFT (B3LYP, B3P86 and BH&HLYP) with aug-cc-pVDZ extended basis set. The polarizabilities are used to analyse the depolarization ratios and the Rayleigh scattering activities. The variations in the activity and in the depolarization for Rayleigh scattered radiation with the increase in the cluster size for both cyclic and linear structures are analysed.

Effect of some surfactants on the chemiluminescent reactions of bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate and bis(2-nitrophenyl)oxalate with hydrogen peroxide

The chemiluminescent reactions of bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO) and bis(2-nitrophenyl)oxalate (2-NPO) with hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile/water micellar systems (anionic, cationic, and non-ionic) and gamma-cyclodextrin were studied in the presence of fluoranthene or 9,10-diphenylanthracene, imidazole, and two buffer solutions, HTRIS+/TRIS and H2PO4-/HPO42-. The relative chemiluminenscence (CL) intensity is higher in the presence of the cationic (DDAB, CTAC, DODAC, and OTAC), anionic (SDS), and non-ionic (Tween 80) surfactants. In the presence of some non-ionic surfactants (Brij 35, Brij 76, and Tween 20), the CL intensity was partially quenched compared with the reaction with no surfactant. The sensitivity for hydrogen peroxide determination in the range 0.01 x 10(-4) to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L-1, considering the slope of the calibration curves (maximum peak height of CL vs. concentration), improved with the introduction of DDAH, CTAB, and SDS in HTRIS+/TRIS buffer.

Hydrogen peroxide monitoring in Fenton reaction by using a ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate/multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified electrode

A novel amperometric sensor based on the incorporation of ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF) into multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode is described. Cyclic voltammetry experiments indicated that the cathodic reduction of hydrogen peroxide at the RuOHCF/MWCNTs100/GC modified electrode is facilitated, occurring at 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl(sat). Following the optimization of the experimental conditions, the proposed sensor presented excellent analytical properties for hydrogen peroxide determination, with a low limit of detection (4.7 mu mol L-1), a large dynamic concentration range (0.1-10 mmol L-1) and a sensitivity of 1280 mu A mmol(-1) L cm(-2). The usefulness of the RuOHCF/MWCNTs100/GC electrochemical sensor was confirmed by monitoring the consumption of hydrogen peroxide during the degradation of phenol by the Fenton reaction. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production on Co/CeO²-ZRO² catalysts prepared by polymerization method

Catalysts containing 10%Co supported on CexZr1-xO2 (0 < x < 1) were applied to ethanol steam reforming reactions. The catalysts were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, XANES-H-2 and DRS-UV-Vis. The catalytic tests were conducted at 673, 773 and 873 K, with molar ratios of H2O:ethanol = 3:1. The ethanol conversion and H-2 selectivity were temperature dependent and the association of CeO2 with ZrO2 in the support led to show a low formation of CO, due to the higher mobility of oxygen. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen bond and the resonance effect on the formamide-water complexes

The interaction of formamide and the two transition states of its amide group rotation with one, two, or three water molecules was studied in vacuum. Great differences between the electronic structure of formamide in its most stable form and the electronic structure of the transition states were noticed. Intermolecular interactions were intense, especially in the cases where the solvent interacted with the amide and the carbonyl groups simultaneously. In the transition states, the interaction between the lone pair of nitrogen and the water molecule becomes important. With the aid of the natural bond orbitals, natural resonance theory, and electron localization function (ELF) analyses an increase in the resonance of planar formamide with the addition of successive water molecules was observed. Such observation suggests that the hydrogen bonds in the formamidewater complexes may have some covalent character. These results are also supported by the quantitative ELF analyses. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012

Effect of Substrate Concentration on Dark Fermentation Hydrogen Production Using an Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactor

The effect of substrate (glucose) concentration on the stability and yield of a continuous fermentative process that produces hydrogen was studied. Four anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBRs) were operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 1 to 8 h and an influent glucose concentration from 2 to 25 gL(-1). The reactors were inoculated with thermally pre-treated anaerobic sludge and operated at a temperature of 30 degrees C with an influent pH around 5.5 and an effluent pH of about 3.5. The AFBRs with a HRT of 2 h and a feed strength of 2, 4, and 10 gL(-1) showed satisfactory H-2 production performance, but the reactor fed with 25 gL(-1) of glucose did not. The highest hydrogen yield value was obtained in the reactor with a glucose concentration of 2 gL(-1) when it was operated at a HRT of 2 h. The maximum hydrogen production rate value was achieved in the reactor with a HRT of 1 h and a feed strength of 10 gL(-1). The AFBRs operated with glucose concentrations of 2 and 4 gL(-1) produced greater amounts of acetic and butyric acids, while AFBRs with higher glucose concentrations produced a greater amount of solvents.

Performance and composition of bacterial communities in anaerobic fluidized bed reactors for hydrogen production: Effects of organic loading rate and alkalinity

This study evaluated the effects of the organic loading rate (OLR) and pH buffer addition on hydrogen production in two anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBRs) operated simultaneously. The AFBRs were fed with glucose, and expanded clay was used as support material. The reactors were operated at a temperature of 30 degrees C, without the addition of a buffer (AFBR1) and with the addition of a pH buffer (AFBR2, sodium bicarbonate) for OLRs ranging from 19.0 to 140.6 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) (COD: chemical oxygen demand). The maximum hydrogen yields for AFBR1 and AFBR2 were 2.45 and 1.90 mol H-2 mol(-1) glucose (OLR of 84.3 kg COD m(-3) d(-1)), respectively. The highest hydrogen production rates were 0.95 and 0.76 L h(-1) L-1 for AFBR1 and AFBR2 (OLR of 140.6 kg COD m(-3) d(-1)), respectively. The operating conditions in AFBR1 favored the presence of such bacteria as Clostridium, while the bacteria in AFBR2 included Clostridium, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Veillonellaceae, Chryseobacterium, Sporolactobacillus, and Burkholderiaceae. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen production and consumption of organic acids by a phototrophic microbial consortium

Alternative fuel sources have been extensively studied. Hydrogen gas has gained attention because its combustion releases only water, and it can be produced by microorganisms using organic acids as substrates. The aim of this study was to enrich a microbial consortium of photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacteria from an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (UASB) using malate as carbon source. After the enrichment phase, other carbon sources were tested, such as acetate (30 mmol l(-1)), butyrate (17 mmol l(-1)), citrate (11 mmol l(-1)), lactate (23 mmol l(-1)) and malate (14.5 mmol l(-1)). The reactors were incubated at 30 degrees C under constant illumination by 3 fluorescent lamps (81 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)). The cumulative hydrogen production was 7.8, 9.0, 7.9, 5.6 and 13.9 mmol H-2 l(-1) culture for acetate, butyrate, citrate, lactate and malate, respectively. The maximum hydrogen yield was 0.6, 1.4, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.9 mmol H-2 mmol(-1) substrate for acetate, butyrate, citrate, lactate and malate, respectively. The consumption of substrates was 43% for acetate, 37% for butyrate, 100% for citrate, 49% for lactate and 100% for malate. Approximately 26% of the clones obtained from the Phototrophic Hydrogen-Producing Bacterial Consortium (PHPBC) were similar to Rhodobacter, Rhodospirillum and Rhodopseudomonas, which have been widely cited in studies of photobiological hydrogen production. Clones similar to the genus Sulfurospirillum (29% of the total) were also found in the microbial consortium. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.