Abstract: During cocoa processing, a considerable residue of biomass with high economic potential is generated.The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether cocoa husk residue after cocoa harvesting has the potential to be used as a fiber source in papermaking applications for packaging.Cocoa husk was collected, and pulp was produced chem. from the obtained biomass.Lignocellulosic components, ash and extractive content were established using standard or well-established methods.The results were in line with previous literature studies and demonstrated that agricultural residual biomass from cocoa husk contains 34.6% cellulose which is similar to wood fiber, but with higher lignin (30.7%) and ash content (9.0%).Chem. pulping and screening delivered a very low fiber yield of 19.6% which was further reduced to 11% after bleaching.Morphol. properties of the obtained pulp were also measured.The obtained fibers after bleaching were very short (0.348 mm) and coarse (43.4μm) when compared to softwood fibers.Laboratory handsheets with different blends of cocoa husk and com. softwood fibers were preparedThe impact on handsheet properties were studied.The unbleached and bleached cocoa husk pulps were not suitable for papermaking as individual fiber sources, due to poor bonding characteristics and very slow drainage, resp.When unbleached cocoa husk pulp was blended with softwood pulp, the strength properties of the sheets were neg. impacted.As cocoa husk fiber content was increased to 30% and 50%, tensile decreased by 10-34%, tear by 13-37%, burst by 22-39% and bending stiffness by 13-21%, resp., making such addition undesirable for lightweight paper packaging applications.The addition of 30% bleached cocoa husk fiber to softwood, however, showed an improvement of 39% in tensile strength and 11% in burst, while tearing resistance and bending stiffness were compromised by 16% and 15%, resp.

11 May 2023·Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)

IoT Electrochemical Sensor with Integrated Ni(OH)₂-Ni Nanowires for Detecting Formaldehyde in Tap Water.

Article

Author: Kavčič, Urška ; Krishnamurthy, Abhilash ; Žužek, Kristina ; Klopčič, Beno ; Šturm, Sašo ; Karlovits, Igor ; Trafela, Špela ; Soderžnik, Kristina Žagar

Simple, low-cost methods for sensing volatile organic compounds that leave no trace and do not have a detrimental effect on the environment are able to protect communities from the impacts of contaminants in water supplies. This paper reports the development of a portable, autonomous, Internet of Things (IoT) electrochemical sensor for detecting formaldehyde in tap water. The sensor is assembled from electronics, i.e., a custom-designed sensor platform and developed HCHO detection system based on Ni(OH)₂-Ni nanowires (NWs) and synthetic-paper-based, screen-printed electrodes (pSPEs). The sensor platform, consisting of the IoT technology, a Wi-Fi communication system, and a miniaturized potentiostat can be easily connected to the Ni(OH)₂-Ni NWs and pSPEs via a three-terminal electrode. The custom-made sensor, which has a detection capability of 0.8 µM/24 ppb, was tested for an amperometric determination of the HCHO in deionized (DI) and tap-water-based alkaline electrolytes. This promising concept of an electrochemical IoT sensor that is easy to operate, rapid, and affordable (it is considerably cheaper than any lab-grade potentiostat) could lead to the straightforward detection of HCHO in tap water.

30 Mar 2023·Open Agriculture

Properties of paper coated withPrunus serotina(Ehrh.) extract formulation

Author: Waliszewska, Bogusława ; Brózdowski, Jakub ; Kapun, Tea ; Grkman, Janja Juhant

AbstractBarrier properties are very important in food packaging; the better the properties, the longer the product can stay fresh in the packaging, which prolongs the shelf life of the product. One way of improving barrier properties is to modifying the existing coatings with the addition of metal oxides, nanoparticles, or natural extracts. The aim of the study was to compare the barrier properties between paper coated with starch and paper coated with starch and black cherry extract mix.Prunus serotinaextracts were prepared by ultrasonic extraction in 60°C water. The extracts were then filtrated and evaporated to obtain a constant mass. The reference coatings were prepared by dissolving starch in hot water to obtain a solution of 30%. The experimental coatings were prepared by substituting 10% starch for black cherry extract. Coatings were applied on the paper by laboratory coater in two thicknesses: c.a. 7 and 15 g/m2. The papers were characterised by grammage, coating weight, porosity, and roughness. Barrier properties were tested by following methods: Cobb-Unger, KIT, water vapour transmission rate, and heptane vapour transmission rate. Papers coated with formulations including extract had better barrier properties against oils and waxes, better results in KIT, Cobb-Unger, and heptane vapour transmission rate tests. The results of the water vapour transmission rate test as well as porosity and roughness were the same for papers coated with and without extract addition, they were influenced by the thickness of the coating, not the extract addition. The addition of black cherry extract influenced the barrier properties of the coated paper, and the extract improved the properties against oils and waxes.

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