Article
Forestry
Xun Zhang, Li Li, Feng Xu
Summary: This article describes the chemical characteristics of wood cell walls, including the distribution of main components, the orientation of cellulose microfibrils, and the interactions between main components. Using advanced techniques, we can gain a better understanding of wood chemistry and provide new insights into cell wall recalcitrance.
Article
Forestry
Katherine Marquez, Felipe Jimenez-Aspee, Nicole Marquez, Pablo Salgado, David Contreras
Summary: This study developed an alternative method using near-infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares regression to predict the pentosan content in pulps. This new method is fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive, accurately predicting the pentosan content.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lynne H. Thomas, Clemens M. Altaner, V. Trevor Forsyth, Estelle Mossou, Craig J. Kennedy, Anne Martel, Michael C. Jarvis
Summary: Research has shown that the cellulose microfibrils in conifer wood stretch together under tension, with stress relaxation facilitated by water. The role of hemicelluloses in affecting the stretching and relaxation behavior of cellulose microfibrils was also observed. Additionally, it was found that lignin and hemicellulosic glucomannans may contribute to stress transfer between microfibril bundles on a larger scale.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Iveta Cabalova, Michal Belik, Viera Kucerova, Tereza Jurczykova
Summary: The study found that the chemical composition and morphological properties of Norway spruce wood and bark vary depending on the part and height of the trunk, with higher extractives content and lower lignin content in the bark top. Additionally, the length and width of lignin and fibers also depend on the different parts of the tree.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xuwei Liu, Catherine M. G. C. Renard, Sylvie Bureau, Carine Le Bourvellec
Summary: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been instrumental in studying cell wall polysaccharides, but its application is sometimes limited due to the complexity of overlapping spectra bands and vibrational coupling, making it difficult to differentiate cell walls with varying polysaccharide abundance.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Maria Gonzalez Martinez, Andres Anca Couce, Capucine Dupont, Denilson da Silva Perez, Sebastien Thiery, Xuan-mi Meyer, Christophe Gourdon
Summary: This research quantified the production of volatile species during torrefaction of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin extracted from various biomass samples, showing a higher number of species detected and details in characterization compared to previous studies with commercial compounds. Additionally, volatile species were released at lower temperatures, potentially due to the better preservation of biomass components in the extracted fractions. The production profiles can help identify the temperature range to enhance specific volatile species production during torrefaction.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eliza Louback, Diego Silva Batista, Tiago Augusto Rodrigues Pereira, Talita Cristina Mamedes-Rodrigues, Tatiane Dulcineia Silva, Sergio Heitor Sousa Felipe, Diego Ismael Rocha, Douglas Andre Steinmacher, Wagner Campos Otoni
Summary: This study focused on analyzing the cell wall components of Pfaffia glomerata during in vitro cultivation in a CO2-enriched atmosphere. The results showed that under elevated CO2, the plant exhibited increased growth, dry mass accumulation, and photosynthetic rate. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed changes in the presence of specific pectic polysaccharides and hemicelluloses in the cell wall, indicating a potential association between CO2 concentration and cell wall deposition dynamics in P. glomerata.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bo Chen, Ulrich H. Leiste, William L. Fourney, Yu Liu, Qiongyu Chen, Teng Li
Summary: The demand for hard materials in engineering applications is high, but conventional materials like alloys and ceramics are often nonrenewable and expensive. A potential low-cost and sustainable alternative, HW, made from natural wood has been demonstrated to have promising applications, including sharper table knives and rust-free nails, indicating its potential to replace conventional hard materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christophe Brouzet, Nitesh Mittal, Tomas Rosen, Yusuke Takeda, L. Daniel Soderberg, Fredrik Lundell, Hidemasa Takana
Summary: The effect of applying electric fields on the hydrodynamic assembly of cellulose nanofibrils in microfluidics was studied, showing that hydrodynamic alignment is more efficient in aligning the nanofibrils than electric fields.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danila M. de Carvalho, Maarit H. Lahtinen, Mamata Bhattarai, Martin Lawoko, Kirsi S. Mikkonen
Summary: Hemicellulose-rich wood extracts play a crucial role in adsorption and stabilization at emulsion interfaces, with lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) enhancing their functionality. Understanding the structure of the interfacial region is important for designing extraction processes and exploring industrial applications.
Article
Forestry
Anna Paszkiewicz-Jasinska, Barbara Wrobel, Wojciech Stopa, Zuzanna Jakubowska, Aleksandra Steinhoff-Wrzesniewska, Waldemar Zielewicz
Summary: The study aims to investigate the intrapopulation variability of Melica uniflora plants collected from natural forest habitats in Poland in terms of nutritional status variability in relation to stage development and weather conditions. The results showed that the nutritional status of Melica uniflora plants varied under different climate conditions and growing seasons. Therefore, Melica uniflora plants can be a valuable source of nutrients in the forage of forest animals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anita M. Avery, Mariam Fawaz, Leah R. Williams, Tami Bond, Timothy B. Onasch
Summary: This study identifies the mass spectral characteristics of particle emissions directly from pyrolysis through controlled laboratory experiments. The results are important for understanding the importance of pyrolysis emissions in the context of wildfires and controlled wood fires.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anatolii Abalymov, Bat-El Pinchasik, Roman A. Akasov, Maria Lomova, Bogdan V. Parakhonskiy
Summary: This review investigates different techniques for aligning polymer fibrils within hydrogels to promote cell adhesion and spatial organization. These techniques include mechanical strains, temperature modulation, fluidic dynamics, chemical modulators, as well as the use of magnetic and electric fields. These methods have significant implications for cellular alignment in the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Review
Computer Science, Information Systems
Maria J. Blesa, Antonio Fernandez Anta
Summary: Maria Serna has deeply contributed to Adversarial Queuing Theory (AQT) which is a model for studying packet-switching communication networks under worst case conditions. Her research focuses on the stability of networks and protocols, and the definition and study of AQT models with important new characteristics, impacting new research in the field.
COMPUTER SCIENCE REVIEW
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Fabiana Lueoend, Nami Sugiyama, Ruben Bill, Laura Bornes, Carolina Hager, Fengyuan Tang, Natascha Santacroce, Christian Beisel, Robert Ivanek, Thomas Burglin, Stefanie Tiede, Jacco van Rheenen, Gerhard Christofori
Summary: EMT is a transient and reversible process where cancer cells transition between epithelial and mesenchymal states. Partial EMT cells contribute to metastasis and chemoresistance, while full EMT cells fail to colonize the lungs but are enriched in recurrent tumors post-chemotherapy.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hong Yao, Bernadine M. Flanagan, Barbara A. Williams, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: The concentration of dietary fibre plays a critical role in the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of fructo-oligosaccharides and pectin on microbial diversity, loads, and metabolite profiles. The results showed that high concentrations of dietary fibre increased the abundance of Methanobrevibacter genus and the production of butyrate. Understanding the underlying mechanisms allows for personalized modulation of gut microbiota by adjusting dietary fibre concentrations.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hong Yao, Bernadine M. Flanagan, Barbara A. Williams, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: This study investigated the relationships between particle size, composition, and fermentability of dietary fiber (DF) from various food sources. The results showed that different substrates had diverse fermentation outcomes regardless of particle size. Particle size differences did not consistently affect fermentation outcomes for different types of food. The nature of the particles and their major chemical components together determined the influences of particle size on fermentation.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Evgeniy N. N. Donev, Marta Derba-Maceluch, Zakiya Yassin, Madhavi Latha Gandla, Sivan Pramod, Emilia Heinonen, Vikash Kumar, Gerhard Scheepers, Francisco Vilaplana, Ulf Johansson, Magnus Hertzberg, Bjoern Sundberg, Sandra Winestrand, Andreas Hoernberg, Bjoern Alriksson, Leif J. J. Joensson, Ewa J. J. Mellerowicz
Summary: Trees are a promising renewable resource for biorefinery, but their recalcitrance limits their practical use. Large-scale genetic engineering experiments were carried out to reduce recalcitrance in hybrid aspen, resulting in the identification of a construct with improved glucose yield. However, some constructs had negative effects on growth and wood properties. Different traits were associated with high glucose yields in saccharification with and without pretreatment. Genotypes with high glucose yields exhibited increased nanoporosity and altered chemical composition compared to wild-type trees. Pilot-scale pretreatment confirmed the superior sugar yields of the best-performing construct.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Ali Ali Redha, Luciana Torquati, Faye Langston, Geoffrey R. Nash, Michael J. Gidley, Daniel Cozzolino
Summary: Cruciferous vegetables and oilseeds are rich in glucosinolates that can transform into isothiocyanates upon enzymic hydrolysis. Monitoring and assessing glucosinolates and isothiocyanates content in the food value chain is important. Infrared spectroscopy has been used as a nondestructive and low-cost method to determine glucosinolates and isothiocyanates in vegetables and oilseeds, but further evaluation and interpretation of the results are needed.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Si-Qian Chen, Patricia Lopez-Sanchez, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Marta Martinez-Sanz, Zhaofeng Li, Shuyan Zhang, Elliot P. Gilbert, Lin Li, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hemicellulose-cellulose interactions on the anisotropic structure of the bacterial cellulose (BC) ribbon network. BC-arabinoxylan (BC-AX) and BC-mixed linkage glucan (BC-MLG) composites were prepared and their mechanical/rheological behavior was evaluated. The results showed that hemicelluloses had limited influence on the crystallinity of BC, but significantly affected the anisotropic behavior of BC hydrogels in compression and stress-relaxation tests.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Caili Li, Sushil Dhital, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: Research has found that the incorporation of high amylose wheat flour (HAWF) can increase the nutritional functionality of bread and noodles. This study explores the application of HAWF in tortillas and reveals that tortillas made with HAWF have lower breaking force and extensibility, but higher resistant starch content. Compared to loaf bread or noodles, tortillas exhibit lower starch digestion and higher resistant starch content.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Caili Li, Sushil Dhital, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: High amylose starches (HASs) have lower starch digestibility and higher thermal stability, making them a rich source of dietary resistant starch. Incorporating HASs into processed foods can attenuate glycemic response and improve gut health. However, appropriate food formulations and preparation conditions need to be identified to maximize the RS content of HASs.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Daiga Konrade, Sergejs Gaidukovs, Francisco Vilaplana, Pramod Sivan
Summary: Fruit and berry by-products, such as pomace, contain biologically active compounds, especially pectic polysaccharides, which can be extracted and used in various food and pharmaceutical products. This research aims to extract pectin from juice production by-products using a hot water extraction method with weak organic citric acid, minimizing the environmental impact and maximizing the content of bioactive components.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hong Yao, Barbara A. Williams, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Bernadine M. Flanagan, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different particle sizes on microbial composition and functionality in plant-based foods through in vitro fermentation. The results showed that particle size, water-holding capacity, and pectin content were closely associated with microbial composition and fermentation outcomes. Particle size had little impact on microbial composition and functionality in wheat grain and apple samples, but it was related to alterations in the microbial composition and functional profiles of carrot samples.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hong Yao, Bernadine M. Flanagan, Barbara A. Williams, Munirah Ismail, Astrada Dyna Ersya, Michael J. Gidley, Deirdre Mikkelsen
Summary: This study investigated the fermentability of wheat arabinoxylan before and after hydrolysis by selective enzymes, and found that lower arabinose-to-xylose ratios and lower di-substitution levels contributed to slower substrate disappearance but higher microbial diversity. The structure of arabinoxylan also affected microbial beta diversity, with different genera associated with enzymatically-modified samples. Gas kinetics and end-product analyses showed that gas production rates depended on the ratio and substitution patterns, and faster fermentation rates resulted in different proportions of propionate, acetate, and butyrate. Overall, this study reveals the potential link between microbial arabinoxylan degraders and fermentation outcomes specific to the fine structures of arabinoxylan.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ali Ali Redha, Faye Langston, Geoffrey R. Nash, John R. Bows, Luciana Torquati, Michael J. Gidley, Daniel Cozzolino
Summary: This study evaluates the application of mid-infrared spectroscopy for the determination of glucosinolates (GSLs) in commercial broccoli. The results showed that MIR spectroscopy can be used to determine some specific GSLs in broccoli. The models developed demonstrated that the variations in broccoli composition can influence the cross-validation models for GSLs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Bernadine M. Widaningrum, Bernadine M. Flanagan, Barbara A. Williams, Francesca Sonni, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: Fruit and vegetable juicing wastes are a potential source of hydrocolloids that can provide gut fermentation benefits in foods. The fermentation characteristics of different juicing wastes were investigated, and it was found that the cell wall architecture and molecular composition play a significant role in determining the fermentation rates and extents.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2024)