Treesearch

High-throughput screening requires simple assays that give reliable quantitative results. A microplate assay was developed for reducing sugar analysis that uses a 2,2'-bicinchoninic-based protein reagent. Endo-1,4-â-D-xylanase activity against oat spelt xylan was detected at activities of 0.002 to 0.011 IU ml−1. The assay is linear for sugar concentrations from 0 to 86 µg ml−1 and can also be used to assay protein concentrations (0 to 143 µg ml−1) on the same plate. A variety of temperatures and pH conditions can be used and, after incubation, the assay requires only one detection reagent...

Residues from the fermentation of cellulose by the anaerobic bacteria Ruminococcus albus (strain 7) or Ruminococcus flavefaciens (strains FD-1 or B34b) containing residual cellulose, bacterial cells and their associated adhesins, were examined for their ability to serve as components of adhesives for plywood fabrication. The residues contained differing amounts of protein (0.4–4.2% of dry weight), but the ratios of monosaccharides recovered following two-stage treatment of the residue with detergent (pH 7) and TFA were similar for all three strains (0.71 glucose:0.18 xylose:0.08 mannose:0.0...

A spectroscopic technique for determining AQ in pulping liquor was developed to effectively separate AQ from dissolved lignin. This technique is based on a flow analysis system with a Nafion membrane interface. The AQ passed through the membrane is converted into its reduced form, AHQ, using sodium hydrosulfite. AHQ has distinguished absorption characteristics in the visible range, whereas spectral contribution from the small lignin molecules that penetrate through the membrane is insignificant. It was found that AQ can be dissolved in dissolved lignin- enriched alkaline solutions, which...

The objective of this research was to develop a high purity cellulose/wollastonite pellet that could then be accurately metered and feed into a laboratory scale twin-screw extruder and compounded with a nylon 6 resin. The major focus was targeted on a 20 percent cellulose/20 percent wollastonite/60 percent nylon 6 composite. Limited research with nylon 6,6 resins was also attempted and will be discussed briefly. A process for developing a cellulose/wollastonite pellet was successful and 100 Kg were produced for twin screw extrusion processing with nylons. The 100 Kg of pellets were then...

Recently, we completed a project on the comparison of macrostickies measurement methods. Based on the success of the project, we decided to embark on this new project on comparison of microstickies measurement methods. When we started this project, there were some concerns and doubts principally due to the lack of an accepted definition of microstickies. However, we agreed to undertake the project due to its importance to the industry. As one can see from the list of authors and organizations above, we were fortunate that eight organizations/institutions agreed to participate in the...

Three microscopic characters were evaluated for the identification of Pinus contorta and Pinus ponderosa. The tangential diameter of the resin canals, including the epithelium, was compared to the tangential diameter of the entire resin canal complex. The latter measurement was shown to give diagnostic results for these species. Data from the examination of ray composition do not support previously published methods for separating P. contorta and P. ponderosa. The presence or absence of small elongate crystals in the subsidiary parenchyma of the resin canal complexes was shown to be the...

Two 8-8-coupled sinapic acid dehydrodimers and at least three sinapate-ferulate heterodimers have been identified as saponification products from different insoluble and soluble cereal grain dietary fibers. The two 8-8-disinapates were authenticated by comparison of their GC retention times and mass spectra with authentic dehydrodimers synthesized from methyl or ethyl sinapate using two different single-electron metal oxidant systems. The highest amounts (481 μg/g) were found in wild rice insoluble dietary fiber. Model reactions showed that it is unlikely that the dehydrodisinapates...

Compared to conventional Raman spectroscopy where samples are excited using visible light lasers, 1064 nm-excited FT-Raman technique has the single most important advantage that the sample-fluorescence is significantly suppressed for samples that are strongly fluorescent. DHPs are difficult to analyze in conventional Raman because small amounts of chromophores present in their structures make them highly fluorescent. An FT Raman study of S-, GS-, G-, HG-, and H-DHPs along with two deuterated analogues of G-DHP was carried out with the objectives of understanding the similarities and...

Concerns about indoor air quality due to mold growth have increased dramatically in the United States. In the absence of moisture management, fungicides need to be developed for indoor use to control mold establishment. An ideal fungicide for prevention of indoor mold growth on wood-based materials needs to specifically prevent spore germination and provide long-term protection under conditions of high humidity. Fungicides intended for indoor use must exhibit no mammalian toxicity, be odorless and emit no VOCs. Classes of compounds meeting one or more of these criteria include acids,...

USDA Forest Service analysis finds 104 million tons of woody residuals available for recovery in the U.S., with wood in MSW and C&D debris streams comprising 28 million tons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service conducts a variety of analyses to estimate the quantity of woody residuals in the United States. Its Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin does research to estimate the types and amounts generated, and what portion of those tonnages are available for recovery. The data from these analyses are very useful to wood recycling enterprises. They help in identifying...