MICROCRYSTALLINE, POWDER NANOCELLULOSE, PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION (OVERVIEW)

The article describes the characteristics of wood pulp fibers. The types of regenerated cellulose modifications, properties of microfibre materials, and areas of application of nanocellulose materials are considered.

Solid γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Compound with Gingerols, a Multi-Component Guest: Preparation, Properties and Application in Yogurt

Gingerols from the rhizome of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) were obtained by a simple extraction, followed by purification. The gingerols extract was composed of 6-gingerol (54%), 8-gingerol (20%), and 10-gingerol (26%). It was included into γ-cyclodextrin by classic co-dissolution procedures. Solid-state characterisation of γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols shows that this inclusion compound features 1:1 host-to-guest stoichiometry and that it is a microcrystalline powder with a crystalline cell that belongs to the tetragonal space group 4212, having the host molecules stacked in infinite channels where the gingerols are accommodated. In chimico studies with ABTS•+ scavenging, NO• scavenging, β-carotene peroxidation, and 5-LOX inhibition show that γ-cyclodextrin is a suitable carrier for gingerols, because it does not alter their reactivity towards these substances. Yogurt was tested as a matrix for the incorporation of gingerols and γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols into foodstuff. The colour of the fortified yogurt suffered little alterations. In the case of yogurt with the inclusion compound, γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols, as fortificant, these alterations were not perceptible to the naked eye. Moreover, yogurt with γ-cyclodextrin·gingerols showed a good antioxidant activity, thus being suitable for use in nutraceutical applications.

Extraction of γ-Alumina from Low-Cost Kaolin

A combined process is proposed for the utilization of local kaolin to produce alumina particles. The applied process is made in two stages: calcination at 700 °C with sodium chloride and leaching with sulfuric followed by hydrochloric acids. The optimal extraction efficiency can be obtained when the conditions are as follows: leaching temperature is at 140 °C, leaching time is 3 h 45 min and concentration of sulfuric acid is 40 wt.%. The results show that the purity of alumina reaches 79.28%, which is suitable for the production of aluminum metal. It is evident that this method of extraction of alumina from the kaolin ash is practical and feasible. The structural and morphological properties of the calcined microcrystalline powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

[UCl4(HCN)4] – a hydrogen cyanide complex of uranium tetrachloride

The reaction of uranium tetrachloride with anhydrous liquid hydrogen cyanide yields a turquoise microcrystalline powder of tetrachloridotetraformonitrileuranium(iv), [UCl4(HCN)4].