Comparison of Kjeldahl Method for Determination of Crude Protein in Cereal Grains and Oilseeds with Generic Combustion Method: Collaborative Study

Seven laboratories participated in a collaborative study to extend the applicability of the AOAC generic combustion method for determination of crude protein in animal feed (990.03) to include determination in cereal grains and oilseeds. In the study, method 990.03 was compared with the AOAC mercury catalyst Kjeldahl method for determination of protein in grains (979.09) and crude protein in animal feed (954.01). The study also evaluated the effect on the results of fineness of grind. For determination of crude protein in grains and oilseeds by the combustion method, standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility ranged from 0.10 to 0.37 and from 0.25 to 0.54, respectively, and relative standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility ranged from 0.77 to 2.57% and from 1.24 to 3.15%, respectively. The combustion method was adopted first action by AOAC International for determination of crude protein in cereal grains and oilseeds containing 0.2- 20% nitrogen.

Hybrid reactor based on combined cavitation and ozonation: from concept to practical reality

The present work gives an in depth discussion related to the development of a hybrid advanced oxidation reactor, which can be effectively used for the treatment of various types of water. The reactor is based on the principle of intensifying degradation/disinfection using a combination of hydrodynamic cavitation, acoustic cavitation, ozone injection and electrochemical oxidation/precipitation. Theoretical studies have been presented to highlight the uniform distribution of the cavitational activity and enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals in the cavitation zone, as well as higher turbulence in the main reactor zone. The combination of these different oxidation technologies have been shown to result in enhanced water treatment ability, which can be attributed to the enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals, enhanced contact of ozone and contaminants, and the elimination of mass transfer resistances during electrochemical oxidation/precipitation. Compared to the use of individual approaches, the hybrid reactor is expected to intensify the treatment process by 5-20 times, depending on the application in question, which can be confirmed based on the literature illustrations. Also, the use of Ozonix® has been successfully proven while processing recycled fluids at commercial sites on over 750 oil and natural gas wells during hydraulic operations around the United States. The superiority of the hybrid process over conventional chemical treatments in terms of bacteria and scale reduction as well as increased water flowability and better chemical compatibility, which is a key requirement for oil and gas applications, has been established.