Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) have been identified as one of the main dietary sources of antioxidants, mainly phenolic compounds. These compounds vary in their composition and concentration, among cultivars and fruit tissues. In this research, the total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau assay), antioxidant capacity (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, FRAP assay) and mineral composition in th...

Hybrid poplar genetically engineered to possess chemically labile ester linkages in its lignin backbone (zip-lignin hybrid poplar) was examined to determine if the strategic lignin modifications would enhance chemical pulping efficiencies. Kraft pulping of zip-lignin and wild-type hybrid poplar was performed in lab-scale reactors under conditions of varying severity by altering time, temperatur...

A laboratory investigation was developed to confirm and to quantify the reductions in absorbable organic halide (AOX) discharge when sodium sulphide was added during elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching of sugarcane bagasse pulp. After the chlorine dioxide bleaching stage, the pulp was sent directly into the extraction stage without washing. FTIR was employed to determine the breakage of che...

As part of a program to reduce electrical energy consumption in the refining process, the effects of the ozone and alkaline peroxide treatments on fibre and handsheet properties, prior and subsequent to low consistency (LC) refining, were assessed and compared by applying different levels of ozone and a range of peroxide and alkali charges to a primary stage hemlock thermomechanical pulp (TMP)....

Using standard laboratory procedures, it was found that different pulptypes showed very different recycling effects. Mechanical pulp fibres became flatter andmore flexible giving a denser, stronger sheet. Beaten chemical pulp fibres “hornified”, resulting in a bulkier, weaker sheet. Unbeaten chemical pulp fibres were initially curly;recycling removed the curl. A mechanicallchemical<...

The objective of this work was to morphologically characterize 15 banana cultivars and assess the physical and chemical characteristics of their fruits at two maturation stages, unripe (pre-climacteric) and ripening. The plants were evaluated regarding their pseudostem height and diameter, petiole length, leaf blade length, width and length-to-width ratio. The cultivar Ouro had fruits with lowe...