Side chains affect the melt processing and stretchability of arabinoxylan biomass-based thermoplastic films

Nanostructures of etherified arabinoxylans and the effect of arabinose content on material properties

To further our understanding of a thermoplastic arabinoxylan (AX) material obtained through an oxidation-reduction-etherification pathway, the role of the initial arabinose:xylose ratio on the material properties was investigated. Compression molded films with one molar substitution of butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) showed markedly different tensile behaviors. Films made from low arabinose AX were less ductile, while those made from high arabinose AX exhibited elastomer-like behaviors. X-ray scattering confirmed the presence of nanostructure formation resulting in nano-domains rich in either AX or BGE, from side chain grafting. The scattering data showed variations in the presence of ordered structures, nano-domain sizes and their temperature response between AX with different arabinose contents. In dynamic mechanical testing, three transitions were observed at approximately -90 °C, -50 °C and 80 °C, with a correlation between samples with more structured nano-domains and those with higher onset transition temperatures and lower storage modulus decrease. The mechanical properties of the final thermoplastic AX material can therefore be tuned by controlling the composition of the starting material.

Wheat bran arabinoxylans: Chemical structure, extraction, properties, health benefits, and uses in foods

Wheat bran (WB) is a well-known and valuable source of dietary fiber. Arabinoxylan (AX) is the primary hemicellulose in WB and can be isolated and used as a functional component in various food products. Typically, AX is extracted from the whole WB using different processes after mechanical treatments. However, WB is composed of different layers, namely, the aleurone layer, pericarp, testa, and hyaline layer. The distribution, structure, and extractability of AX vary within these layers. Modern fractionation technologies, such as debranning and electrostatic separation, can separate the different layers of WB, making it possible to extract AX from each layer separately. Therefore, AX in WB shows potential for broader applications if it can be extracted from the different layers separately. In this review, the distribution and chemical structures of AX in WB layers are first discussed followed by extraction, physicochemical properties, and health benefits of isolated AX from WB. Additionally, the utilization of AX isolated from WB in foods, including cereal foods, packaging film, and the delivery of food ingredients, is reviewed. Future perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the research field of AX isolated from WB are highlighted.

A Review of Trends in the Energy Use of Biomass: The Case of the Dominican Republic

This review examines the use of residual biomass as a renewable resource for energy generation in the Dominican Republic. The odology includes a thorough examination of scientific publications in recent years about logistics operations. The use of mathematical models can be beneficial for the selection of areas with a high number of residual biomass and processing centers; for the design of feedstock allocation; for the planning and selection of the mode of transport; and for the optimization of the supply chain, logistics, cost estimation, availability of resources, energy efficiency, economic performance, and environmental impact assessment. It is also essential to consider the exhaustive analysis of the most viable technological solutions among the conversion processes, in order to guarantee the minimum emissions of polluting or greenhouse gases. In addition, this document provides a critical review of the most relevant challenges that are currently facing logistics linked to the assessment of biomass in the Dominican Republic, with a straightforward approach to the complementarity and integration of non-manageable renewable energy sources.