Influence of sample preparation process on basic properties of biofuels

The characteristic properties of non-wood biomass used in combustion processes are monitored, such as water content, ash, volatile matter. Biomass is usually not homogenous and of suitable dimensions for these determinations. This is the reason for the necessary adjustment of samples for analysis. But modifying the samples may change their properties. In this publication, the influence of the grinding process in a rotor mill on the content of water, volatile matter and ash in non-wood biomass samples was studied. Samples of flax, Crambe abyssinica, amaranth and rye were analyzed. All analyses showed moisture loss from the sample during grinding and in the case of flax, the loss of volatile matter was observed. It means the rotor mill is suitable for sample preparation prior to analysis. But for oil plants it is necessary to choose another mill or adjustment method.

Acaricidal Properties of Bio-Oil Derived From Slow Pyrolysis of Crambe abyssinica Fruit Against the Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Slow pyrolysis is a process for the thermochemical conversion of biomasses into bio-oils that may contain a rich chemical composition with biotechnological potential. Bio-oil produced from crambe fruits was investigated as to their acaricidal effect. Slow pyrolysis of crambe fruits was performed in a batch reactor at 400°C and chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The bio-oil collected was used in bioassays with larvae and engorged females of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Biological assays were performed using the larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test. The GC-MS of crambe fruit bio-oil revealed mainly hydrocarbons such as alkanes and alkenes, phenols, and aldehydes. The bio-oil in the LPT exhibited an LC90 of 14.4%. In addition, crambe bio-oil caused female mortality of 91.1% at a concentration of 15% and a high egg-laying inhibition. After ovary dissection of treated females, a significant reduction in gonadosomatic index was observed, indicating that bio-oil interfered in tick oogenesis. Considering these results, it may be concluded that slow pyrolysis of crambe fruit affords a sustainable and eco-friendly product for the control of cattle tick R. microplus.

The value of the crop ‘Crambe abyssinica’ (Crambe Abyssinica) and its productivity in various countries of the world (review)

The constant growth of urbanization and population of the planet are driving to a global energy growth. At the same time, society is increasingly aware of the consequences of environmental problems due to climate change and active extraction of fossil fuels. Biodiesel is intended to make a significant contribution to the future energy needs of the economies of developed countries. In this regard, the oilseed crop Crambe abyssinica attracts attention as an energy culture. The purpose of the current study was to identify the possible areas of the use of Crambe abyssinica and to collect data on the crop productivity in the world on the basis of bibliometric analysis. The current paper has described the range of possibilities for using Crambe abyssinica, mainly for non-food aim, namely in cosmetics, perfumery, in technical industry, as an adsorbent for wastewater, etc. There has been established that Crambe abyssinica produc[1]tivity in the world, depending on the region of cultivation, varies within significant limits from 0.6 to 5 t/ha and varies greatly due to climatic conditions. There has been shown that the productivity of the domestic varieties of Crambe abyssinica ‘Polet’, ‘Demetra’ and ‘Arfa’ produces 3.06-3.22 t/ha in the Middle Volga region, 1.45 t/ha in the Saratov region, 0.54–1.55 t/ha in the Crimea. The diversity of crop genotypes has indicated that there are wide opportunities for further breeding improvement in the varieties possessing better fatty acid composition using advanced methods to modify existing genetic resources.

O biocombustível no Brasil: potencialidades da cultura do Crambe abyssinica para produção de biodiesel

Este artigo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das principais características da oleaginosa Crambe abyssinica, abordando desde a ecologia e morfologia da espécie até as condições de cultivo e produção de biodiesel. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo por meio de revisão de literatura sobre a espécie e a produção de biodiesel, analisando materiais bibliográficos produzidos entre os anos de 1970 e 2019 indexados em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais. Os resultados demonstraram que devido ao ciclo curto e a alta produção de triglicerídeos nas sementes, a espécie, apresenta elevado potencial para a produção de biodiesel. Somado a isso, a cultura demonstra características interessantes para o produtor, como baixo custo de produção, tolerância às variações de temperatura e estresse hídrico, podendo ser utilizada em rotação de culturas e como planta de cobertura do solo. Com a revisão bibliográfica foi possível descrever o perfil cromatográfico do óleo de Crambe abyssinica além de verificar a estimativa do esgotamento de combustíveis fósseis para as próximas décadas, associado ao aumento da demanda energética no planeta. A utilização do biodiesel está relacionada a fatores ambientais por possibilitar a diminuição de emissão de gases tóxicos e a reciclagem de nutrientes e a fatores sociais e econômicos por beneficiar produtores rurais, conforme demonstra vasta literatura. Diante destas considerações, verificou-se a viabilidade do cultivo de Crambe abissynica para obtenção de matéria prima e a produção de biodiesel.