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Measurement of formaldehyde concentrations in a subatmospheric steam-formaldehyde autoclave.

A method has been developed for measuring formaldehyde concentrations in a subatmospheric steam-formaldehyde autoclave. Data obtained using this method indicate that the concentration of formaldehyde in the chamber atmosphere is not homogeneous and that it decreases rapidly with time. The penetration of formaldehyde vapour into narrow tubes has also been investigated and was shown to be dependent on the length-to-bore ratio of the tubes. The formaldehyde concentration within the tubes could be increased by using a lower vacuum in the air removal stage at the beginning of the cycle.

Formaldehyde↗

Effect of steam temperature in the pelleting process of chicken food on the viability of contaminating bacteria.

Pellet feeds were prepared at 70, 80, 83 and 90 degrees C under constant steam pressure of 4.0 kg/cm2. Under these conditions, the foods received 10 seconds of heat treatment, but treatment at 90 degrees C was found inappropriate since the food became slushy. Pelleting conditions examined in this study did not eliminate all contaminating bacteria, but coliforms from ingredients were killed when pelleting was conducted at over 80 degrees C. Concentrations of vitamins were not decreased during pelleting. The optimum temperature for pelleting food is considered to be 83 degrees C under the conditions investigated in this study.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of moisture content on the expansion volume of popped Amaranth seeds by hot air and superheated steam using a fluidized bed system.

The effect of the initial moisture content (X(0)) of amaranth seeds on expansion volume after popping was examined in hot air and superheated steam (SHS), using a fluidized bed system (FBS). The moisturized seeds were prepared under various vapor pressures due to various saturated salt solutions. In hot air, the maximum expansion volume was shown by seeds having X(0) of 0.16 at 260 degrees C for 15 sec, reaching 8.7-fold of the pre-popped seeds. Heating by SHS decreased the volume slightly. Thus, popping of amaranth seeds is influenced not only by the moisture content of the seeds, but also by moisture in the heat media.

Air↗

Application of Fenton's reaction to steam explosion prehydrolysates from poplar biomass.

The application of Fenton's reaction to enhance the fermentability of prehydrolysates obtained from steam explosion pretreatment of poplar biomass was studied. Reaction conditions of temperature and H2O2 and Fe(II) concentrations were studied. The fermentability of prehydrolysate treated by Fenton's reaction was tested by using different inoculum sizes of thermotolerant strain Kluyveromyces marxianus CECT 10875. The highest percentages of toxic compound degradation (ranging from 71 to 93% removal) were obtained at the highest H2O2 concentration tested (50 mM). However, a negative effect on fermentability was observed at this H2O2 concentration at the lower inoculum loading. An increase in inoculum size to 0.6 g/L resulted in an enhanced ethanol fermentation yield of 95% relative to control.

Biomass↗

Optimization of steam pretreatment of SO2-impregnated corn stover for fuel ethanol production.

In this study, corn stover with a dry matter content of 20% was impregnated with SO2 and then steam pretreated for various times at various temperatures. The pretreatment was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid material and analysis of the sugar content in the liquid. The maximum overall yield of glucose, 89% of the theoretical based on the glucan in the raw material, was achieved when the corn stover was pretreated at 200 degrees C for 10 min. The maximum overall yield of xylose, 78%, was obtained with pretreatment at 190 degrees C for 5 min.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Effect of inhibitors released during steam-explosion pretreatment of barley straw on enzymatic hydrolysis.

The influence of the liquid fraction (prehydrolysate) generated during steam-explosion pretreatment (210 degrees C, 15 min) of barley straw on the enzymatic hydrolysis was determined. Prehydrolysate was analyzed for degradation compounds and sugars' content and used as a medium for enzymatic hydrolysis tests after pH adjusting to 4.8. Our results show that the presence of the compounds contained in the prehydrolysate strongly affects the hydrolysis step (a 25% decrease in cellulose conversion compared with control). Sugars are shown to be more potent inhibitors of enzymatic hydrolysis than degradation products.

Cellulase↗

Steam pretreatment of acid-sprayed and acid-soaked barley straw for production of ethanol.

Barley is an abundant crop in Europe, which makes its straw residues an interesting cellulose source for ethanol production. Steam pretreatment of the straw followed by enzymatic hydrolysis converts the cellulose to fermentable sugars. Prior to pretreatment the material is impregnated with a catalyst, for example, H2SO4, to enhance enzymatic digestibility of the pretreated straw. Different impregnation techniques can be applied. In this study, soaking and spraying were investigated and compared at the same pretreatment condition in terms of overall yield of glucose and xylose. The overall yield includes the soluble sugars in the liquid from pretreatment, including soluble oligomers, and monomer sugars obtained in the enzymatic hydrolysis. The yields obtained differed for the impregnation techniques. Acid-soaked barley straw gave the highest overall yield of glucose, regardless of impregnation time (10 or 30 min) or acid concentration (0.2 or 1.0 wt%). For xylose, soaking gave the highest overall yield at 0.2 wt% H2SO4. An increase in acid concentration resulted in a decrease in xylose yield for both acid-soaked and acid-sprayed barley straw. Optimization of the pretreatment conditions for acid-sprayed barley straw was performed to obtain yields using spraying that were as high as those with soaking. For acid-sprayed barley straw the optimum pretreatment condition for glucose, 1.0 wt% H2SO4 and 220 degrees C for 5 min, gave an overall glucose yield of 92% of theoretical based on the composition of the raw material. Pretreatment with 0.2 wt% H2SO4 at 190 degrees C for 5 min resulted in the highest overall xylose yield, 67% of theoretical based on the composition of the raw material.

Cellulase↗

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of steam-pretreated spruce to ethanol.

Ethanol production was studied in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of steam-pretreated spruce at 42 degrees C, using a thermotolerant yeast. Three yeast strains of Kluyveromyces marxianus were compared in test fermentations. SSF experiments were performed with the best of these on 5% (w/w) of substrate, at a cellulase loading of 37 filter paper units/g of cellulose, and a beta-glucosidase loading of 38 IU/g of cellulose. The detoxification of the substrate and the lack of pH control in the experiments increased the final ethanol concentration. The final ethanol yield was 15% lower compared to SSF with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 37 degrees C, owing to the cessation of ethanol fermentation after the first 10 h.

Cellulase↗

Effect of chip size on steam explosion pretreatment of softwood.

Although considerable progress has been made in technology for converting lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol, substantial opportunities still exist to reduce production costs. In biomass pretreatment, reducing milling power is a technological improvement that will substantially lower production costs for ethanol. Improving sugar yield from hemicellulose hydrolysis would also reduce ethanol production costs. Thus, it would be desirable to test innovative pretreatment conditions to improve the economics by reducing electrical power of the milling stage and by optimizing pretreatment recovery of hemicellulose, as well as to enhance cellulose hydrolysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chip size (2-5, 5-8, and 8-12 mm) on steam-explosion pretreatment (190 and 210 degrees C, 4 and 8 min) of softwood (Pinus pinaster).

Biomass↗

Use of steam explosion liquor from sugar cane bagasse for lignin peroxidase production by Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The possibility of using two by-products of the sugar cane industry, molasses and bagasse steam explosion liquor (SEL), for lignin peroxidase (LiP) production by Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. For comparison, the fungus was initially cultivated in synthetic media containing either glucose, sucrose, xylose, or xylan as sole carbon sources. The effect of veratryl alcohol (VA) was also investigated in relation to the enzyme activity levels. Results showed that sucrose was not metabolized by this fungus, which precluded the use of molasses as a carbon source. Glucose, xylose, and xylan promoted equivalent cell growth. Enzyme levels in the absence of VA were lower than 28 UI/L and in the presence of VA reached 109 IU/L with glucose and 85 IU/L with xylose or xylan. SEL was adequate for P. chrysosporium LiP production as LiP activity reached 90 IU/L. When VA was added to this medium, enzyme concentration increased to 155 IU/L.

Cellulose↗

Influence of mixing regime on enzymatic saccharification of steam-exploded softwood chips.

In an attempt to elucidate the effect of reduced mixing on the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic feedstocks, a pretreated softwood substrate was hydrolyzed under various mixing regimes using a commercial cellulase mixture. The substrate was generated by SO2-catalyzed steam explosion of Douglas fir wood chips followed by alkali-peroxide treatment to remove lignin. Three mixing regimes were tested; continuous mixing at low (25 rpm) and high (150 rpm) speeds, and mixing at low-speed interspersed with 5-min intervals of high-speed agitation at 150 rpm. At both substrate concentrations (7.5 and 10% [w/w]), the mixed-speed mixing was able to produce sufficiently high conversion rates and yields (93% after 96 h), close or slightly better than those obtained under vigorous mixing (150 rpm). The low-speed shaking produced appreciably lower conversion yields at both levels of substrate concentration. Therefore, the mixed-speed regime may be a viable process option, because it does not seem to have an adverse impact on the cellulose conversion yield and can be an effective means of reducing the mixing energy requirements of an enzymatic hydrolysis process.

Cellulose↗

Technoeconomic study on steam explosion application in biomass processing.

This work is based on the data collected during trials of a continuous steam explosion (SE) plant, with a treatment capacity of about 350 kg/h, including the biomass fractionation section. The energy and water consumption, equipment cost, and manpower needed to run this plant have been used as the base case for a techno-economic evaluation of productive plants. Three processing plant configurations have been considered: (I) SE pretreatment only; (II) SE followed by the hemicellulose extraction; (III) SE followed by the sequential hemicellulose and lignin extractions. The biomass treatment cost has been evaluated as a function of the plant scale. For each configuration, variable and fixed cost breakdown has been detailed in the case of a 50,000 t/y plant.

Biomass↗

Density of steam-flaked sorghum grain, roughage level, and feeding regimen for feedlot steers.

Two hundred fifty-two steers (366 kg) were assigned to a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of three densities of steam-flaked sorghum grain (bulk [flake] density of 437, 360, and 283 g/liter, B34, B28, and B22, respectively), two roughage levels (9 [R9] and 18% [R18]) and two feeding strategies (ad libitum [AD] or multiple of maintenance [MM], 2.3, 2.5, and 2.7 MM for wk 1, 2, and 3, and 2.9 MM thereafter). Steers fed R18-AD gained faster than steers fed R18-MM (1.59 vs 1.52 kg/d, P = .10); for R9 diets, no difference (P greater than .25) was found between steers fed AD and MM (interaction, P = .07). Flake density did not affect ADG (1.53 kg, P greater than .2). Dry matter intake decreased (9.8, 9.3, and 9.0 kg/d, linear, P less than .001) and gain efficiency (G/DMI, kg of gain/100 kg of DMI) increased (15.7, 16.5, and 16.9, linear, P less than .001; quadratic, P = .19) as processing degree increased (B34 to B22). Percentage of choice carcasses for B34 (67.0%) was higher (linear, P = .05) than for B28 (51.9%) and B22 (52.3%). Fecal starch and pH were 10.8, 5.7, and 4.0%, and 6.11, 6.23, and 6.37 for B34, B28, and B22, respectively (linear, P less than .001). The correlation between fecal starch and pH was -.51 (P less than .001, n = 252). Enzymatic glucose release, in vitro 6-h gas production, microbial protein synthesis, and protein degradability were 375, 483, and 559 mg/g; 24.7, 28.2, and 31.1 ml/.2 g; 6.15, 6.88, and 7.84 g/100g; and 61.4, 56.6, and 42.2% for B34, B28, and B22, respectively (linear, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Steam sterilization of air turbine dental handpieces.

The efficacy of autoclaving high-speed dental handpieces was tested in two types of downward displacement steam sterilizers (instrument autoclaves), commonly used in the dentist's office. Eight series of experiments were performed with various sterilization schedules. Lubrication oils with or without antimicrobial agent were used in four of the series. Each handpiece was inoculated with 1 ml of a suspension containing equal amounts of saliva and spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus (approx. 10(6) spores/ml). Neither sterilization at 120-124 degrees C for 20 min nor at 134-136 degrees C for 10 min resulted in complete inactivation of the spores in series in which the instruments were tested without oil or with oil containing no antimicrobial agent. However, when the handpieces were lubricated with oil containing isopropanol and formaldehyde and the schedule 134-136 degrees C/10 min was used, no growth was observed. The results indicate that instrument autoclaves with built-in programs of 120-124 degrees C/20 min and 134-136 degrees C/10 min could have insufficient capacity to sterilize lubricated or unlubricated dental handpieces. The use of oils containing an antimicrobial agent can overcome this problem.

Dental High-Speed Equipment↗

The effect of steam flaked or dry ground corn and supplemental phytic acid on nitrogen partitioning in lactating cows and ammonia emission from manure.

The effect of starch source and supplemental phytic acid (PA) on N partitioning and excretion and ammonia volatilization from dairy manure was evaluated with 8 midlactation cows. Cows were randomly assigned to treatments in replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares with four 18-d periods. Diets were 61% forage, 25% starch, 17.2% crude protein, and 31% neutral detergent fiber and included dry ground corn (DG) or steam flaked corn (SF) with no supplemental P (L; 0.34% P) or supplemental purified PA (0.45% P) to provide additional P from a non-mineral source. Total collection of milk, urine, and feces was conducted on d 16 to 18 of each period. Cows fed SF had lower dry matter (DM) intakes than those fed DG, which, in addition to increased starch digestibility and ruminal fermentation, contributed to higher DM digestibility. Cows fed SF had reduced feces and urine excretion compared with cows fed DG. Also, N intake for cows fed SF was lower, and N digestibility was higher, compared with cows fed DG; therefore, N excretion in both feces and urine was reduced in these cows. Despite the differences in DM intake, lactation performance was not affected by starch sources. Therefore, the efficiency of N utilization increased with SF. Addition of PA did not affect N intake or utilization. Feces and urine were subsampled from each cow, and wet feces and urine were mixed in sealed chambers in the proportions excreted. Ammonia volatilization was measured for 36 h using acid traps sampled on a planned time course. Nitrogen at time zero (A0), rate of ammonia emission (k), and residual N (R) were calculated using the exponential decay model At = A0 e(-kt) + R. Rate of ammonia loss from mixed feces and urine was lower from cows fed SF than from those fed DG. Altering dietary starch source to improve nutrient digestibility and to reduce N excretion by lactating cows may provide opportunity to reduce ammonia losses from manure.

Ammonia↗

Rapid hot dog surface pasteurization using cycles of vacuum and steam to kill Listeria innocua.

The vacuum/steam/vacuum surface pasteurization process was applied to hot dogs inoculated on the surface with non-pathogenic Listeria innocua. Using the optimum conditions previously found for processing chicken carcasses as a starting point, optimum process conditions were determined for a hot dog treatment compatible with current process line speed. Cycling the treatment significantly improved the microbiological kill. At the optimum conditions of steam time of 0.3 s at 138 degrees C (two cycles), a bacteria kill >3 log CFU/ml was attained. Pasteurization, frequently considered to be a kill of >5 log CFU/ml, was reached by increasing the number of cycles to three. The surface pasteurization process should ensure that hot dogs reaching the consumer are free of Listeria.

Animals↗

Cooking mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) by steam does not destroy the infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum.

The consumption of shellfish has increased considerably worldwide, with an associated increase in foodborne illnesses. Among the bivalves, the mussels are usually cooked by steam, which constitutes a typical dish in several regions. In this article, we demonstrate that this preparation is not sufficient to destroy completely the infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum. Oocysts recovered from experimentally contaminated mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were infectious to neonatal mice after cooking. Although, to date, no official cases of cryptosporidiosis linked to shellfish consumption have been reported, we recommend that people with reduced immunity avoid this type of food because they are at high risk of being infected with Cryptosporidium spp. after eating raw or undercooked contaminated bivalves.

Animals↗

Effect of vacuum-steam-vacuum treatment on microbial quality of whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe.

Minimally processed fruits and vegetables have a limited shelf life because of deterioration caused by spoilage microflora and physiological processes. Cutting may increase microbial spoilage of fruits through transfer of microflora on the outer surfaces to the interior tissue. The objectives of this study were to use the vacuum-steam-vacuum (VSV) process to reduce indigenous spoilage microflora on the surface of cantaloupes and to investigate the effects of such treatments on transfer of spoilage microflora from the cantaloupe surface to the fresh-cut melon during rind removal and cutting. Whole cantaloupes were treated in the VSV processor, and fresh-cut pieces prepared from treated and control samples were stored at 5 and 10 degrees C for up to 9 days. Presence and growth of mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and Pseudomonas spp. were determined in fresh-cut samples during storage. Texture and color (CIE L*, a*, and b*) also were measured during storage. VSV treatment resulted in a 1.0-log reduction of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, a 2.0-log reduction of yeasts and molds, and a 1.5-log reduction of Pseudomonas spp. on cantaloupe surfaces. VSV treatment significantly reduced transfer of yeasts and molds and Pseudomonas spp. from whole cantaloupe surface to fresh-cut pieces during preparation (P < 0.05). Texture and color of the fresh-cut pieces prepared from the VSV-treated whole melons were similar to those of the controls. The results of this study indicate that the use of the VSV process to reduce the surface populations of yeasts and molds and Pseudomonas spp. on whole cantaloupes will reduce subsequent transfer of these microbes to fresh-cut pieces and enhance the microbial quality of the fresh-cut product.

Colony Count, Microbial↗