The benefits of using sustainable building materials are linked not only to the adoption of manufacturing processes that entail reduced pollution, CO2 emissions and energy consumption, but also to the onset of improved performance in the building. In particular, hemp-lime composite shows low shrinkage and high thermal and acoustic insulating properties. However, this material also shows a great...

This paper reviews the use of texture analysis in studying the performance of hydrophilic matrices of highly soluble drugs and different types of excipients (i.e. water-soluble, water-insoluble and swellable, and water insoluble and non-swellable). Tablets were prepared by direct compression, and their swelling and erosion in presence of these different excipients were assessed with the help of...

The present work deals with the utilization of oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) to produce cost-effective biodegradable materials. The biocomposite was prepared from OPMF and PBS at a weight ratio of 70:30 via a melt blending technique without addition of any additive. This biocomposite showed relatively low tensile and water resistance properties. As a conseque...

Previous studies showed that Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) could distinguish between Roundup Ready® (RR) and conventional soybeans at the bulk and single seed sample level, but it was not clear which compounds drove the classification. In this research the varieties used did not show significant differences in major compounds between RR and conventional beans, but moisture content had a big...

"Amala" is a generic term in Nigeria, used to describe a thick paste prepared by stirring flour ("elubo") from yam, cassava or unripe plantain, in hot water, to form a smooth consistency. In order to overcome its high perishability and increase the utilization of sweet potato roots, three varieties of sweet potato roots were processed into flour using two methods. The interactive effect of vari...

In this work, an innovative cellulose-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was experimentally assessed as an environmentally friendly alternative to acrylate-based SAPs, for the optimization of water consumption in agriculture. The cellulose-based SAP was synthesized and tested for its swelling capability in different aqueous media. The effectiveness of the SAP in agricultural applications was th...

Vesicle swelling is critical for secretion; however, the underlying mechanism of synaptic vesicle (SV) swelling is unknown. A G alphai3-phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-mediated involvement of the water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in the regulation of secretory vesicle swelling in the exocrine pancreas has been previously reported. In the present study, the association and involvement of water channels i...

Lignin was used as a natural adhesive to manufacture Vitis vinifera fiberboards. The fiberboards were produced at laboratory scale by adding powdered lignin to material that had previously been steamexploded under optimized pretreatment and pressing conditions. The kraft lignin used was washed several times with an acidic solution to eliminate any contaminants and low molecular weight compounds...

We found that peat moss, amended with various ratios of pellets comprised of equal proportions of biochar and wood flour, generally had chemical and physical properties suitable for service as a substrate during nursery production of plants. High ratios of pellets to peat (>50%) may be less desirable because of high C:N, high bulk density, swelling associated with water absorption, and low volu...