vigilancia tecnológica

Vigilancia tecnológicaEtanol

Unidad de Vigilancia Tecnológica NOABoletín 2 – Marzo de 2014

Autoridades

Gobernador de la Provincia de Tucumán

CPN José Alperovich

Secretario de Estado de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico

Dr. Javier Noguera

Director de Vinculación y Transferencia Tecnológica

Ing. José Russo

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Equipo de trabajo

Coordinador de la Unidad de Vigilancia Tecnológica del NOA

Ph. D. Roque Caro

Equipo de búsqueda

Lic. Federico Carrera

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Resumen

En el presente trabajo se analiza la producción científica y tecnológicarelacionada a la producción de etanol y se presentan al lector un listado de las patentespresentadas, accesibles a través del buscador que ofrece la Oficina Europea de Patentes ypublicaciones científicas relevantes publicadas durante el año 2013, a las que se accedió através de la base de datos de publicaciones científicas Scopus.com, sitio al que se pudotener acceso mediante el uso de la Biblioteca Electrónica de Ciencia y Tecnologíaperteneciente al Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva de laNación.

La estrategia de búsquedas se hizo en base a las materias primas que seprocesan para la obtención de etanol. Entre ellas se destacan las materias primas conazúcares simples como la caña de azúcar, melazas, remolacha azucarera y sorgoazucarado; las que que poseen almidones como el maíz, mandioca, papa y batata; porúltimo se tuvieron en cuenta en la búsqueda las materias primas con biomasalignocelulósica como maderas, residuos forestales y agrícolas, y otra clase de desechoscomo los industriales y los residuos urbanos.

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Etanol

El etanol es un compuesto químico que se presenta en condiciones normales depresión y temperatura como como un líquido incoloro e inflamable con un punto deebullición de 78,4°C.

Posee múltiples aplicaciones que van desde fines culinarios, en la elaboración debebidas alcohólicas; médicas, como antiséptico; hasta fines industriales y comocombustible.

En esta ocasión se presentan al lector los resultados de una búsqueda depatentes y publicaciones científicas referidas al etanol. Para realizar la búsqueda sepriorizaron palabras claves relacionadas con las materias primas que se utilizan para laproducción del etanol, estas palabras se buscaron en español e inglés.

Patentes

Como resultado de la búsqueda de patentes se obtuvieron 473 patentessolicitadas entre 2008 y 2013, aunque este último año presenta datos parciales. Lascuales se analizan a continuación:

FUENTE: elaboración propia con datos de la Oficina Europea de Patentes.

En el gráfico anterior se puede ver un importante crecimiento en la solicitud depatentes ente el año 2010 con respecto al año anterior, el incremento interanual fue del163,16%.

5

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

39 38

100

118 120

Cantidad de patentes solicitadas mundialmente por año

Núm

ero

de p

aten

tes

solic

itad a

s

Para este análisis no se tuvieron en cuenta los datos del año 2013 por noencontrarse completos. Sí se los utilizó para la confección de otros gráficos que sepresentan más adelante.

NOTA: los valores para 2013 se encuentran incompletos, representan las patentes solicitadas hasta el31 de mayo de 2013.

FUENTE: elaboración propia con datos de la Oficina Europea de Patentes.

Se puede apreciar que hay un claro liderazgo de China (337 solicitudes)respecto de todos los demás países en materia de patentamiento. Además de las patentesagrupadas en el gráfico precedente, se ingresaron 39 patentes a través de la Oficina de laOrganización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI).

Principales códigos de clasificación internacional

“La Clasificación Internacional de Patentes (CIP), establecida por el Arreglo deEstrasburgo de 1971, prevé un sistema jerárquico de símbolos independientes delidioma para clasificar las patentes y los modelos de utilidad con arreglo a los distintos

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República de Moldova

Nueva Zelanda

Alemania

Rumania

Taiwán

Canadá

México

Australia

Rusia

Japón

Corea del Sur

Estados Unidos

China

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

1

1

2

3

3

4

5

7

8

13

18

32

337

Patentes solicitadas por país

entre 2008 y 2013

sectores de la tecnología a los que pertenecen.

La CIP divide la tecnología en ocho secciones, con unas 70.000 subdivisiones, cadauna de las cuales cuenta con un símbolo que consiste en números arábigos y letras delalfabeto latino (...)

La Clasificación es indispensable para la recuperación de los documentos de patentedurante la búsqueda en el "estado de la técnica". Se valen de esa recuperación lasautoridades que conceden patentes, los eventuales inventores, las unidades deinvestigación y desarrollo y demás partes interesadas en la aplicación o el desarrollo dela tecnología.”1

Se presenta a continuación las principales familias de códigos de clasificaciónhallados en las patentes resultantes de la búsqueda. Los códigos utilizados se presentaroncon mucha dispersión por lo que sólo se muestran los más representativos del conjunto.

Para facilitar el entendimiento, se truncó los códigos hasta el tercercomponente. Debajo del gráfico el lector encontrará una referencia sobre los códigosutilizados.

FUENTE: elaboración propia con datos de la Oficina Europea de Patentes

Referencias adicionales:

1 Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual. www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/es/general/preface.html

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C12G

C07C

C12N

A23K

C02F

A61P

A23L

A61K

C12R

C12P

0 50 100 150 200 250

30

33

63

66

69

73

74

85

106

222

Principales familias de códigos de clasificación internacional

de patentes solicitadas entre 2008 y 2013 en el mundo

http://www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/es/general/preface.html

• A23K: alimento para animales; métodos especialmente adaptados para suproducción.

• A23L: alimentos, productos alimenticios o bebidas no alcohólicas no cubiertospor las subclases A21D o A23B-A23J; su preparación o tratamiento, p. ej.Cocción, modificación de las cualidades nutricionales, tratamiento físico(conformación o tratamiento, no enteramente cubierto por la presentesubclase,A23P); conservación de alimentos o de productos alimenticios, engeneral (conservación de la harina o las masas panificables A21D).

• A61K: preparaciones de uso médico, dental o para el aseo.

• A61P: actividad terapéutica especifica de compuestos químicos o depreparaciones medicinales .

• C02F: tratamiento del agua, agua residual, de alcantarilla o fangos.

• C07C: compuestos acíclicos o carbocíclicos.

• C12G: vino; otras bebidas alcohólicas; su preparación.

• C12N: microorganismos o enzimas; composiciones que los contienen;propagación, cultivo o conservación de microorganismos; técnicas de mutación ode ingeniería genética; medios de cultivo.

• C12P: procesos de fermentación o procesos que utilizan enzimas para la síntesisde un compuesto químico dado o de una composición dada, o para la separaciónde isómeros ópticos a partir de una mezcla racemica.

• C12R: sistema de indexación asociado a las subclases C12C-C12Q, relativo a losmicroorganismos.,.

Patentes destacadas

Se presentan a continuación algunas de las patentes más destacadas desde enerode 2012 a la fecha. Se presentan sus títulos, abstracts y algunos datos de interés.

Cassava alcohol wastewater aerobic processing system

The invention discloses a cassava alcohol wastewater aerobic processing systemwhich adopts an Anoxic1-Oxic1-Anoxic2-Oxic2-MembraneBio-Reactor

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(A1O1A2O2-MBR) combined process which is also a two-stage AO and MBRcombined process. Wastewater is pumped into an AOAO device from a hoisting shaftby using a pump, and is subjected to two-stage AO processing; outlet water is pumpedinto an MBR device; O tank nitrification liquids in the two-stage AO are respectivelyrefluxed to corresponding A tanks, and MBR mud-water mixed liquid is refluxed to theA tank of the primary AO, such that system connection is realized. With the systemprovided by the invention, organics, ammonia-nitrogen and SS can be effectivelyremoved, an anti-impact performance is good, operation is stable, and device automaticcontrol level is high.

Número de publicaciónCN103193357 A

Fecha de solicitud: 04/01/2012

Inventores: 张春霖 (ZHANG CHUNLIN)

Solicitante: 上海巴安水务股份有限公司 (SHANGHAI SAFBON WATERSERVICE CO LTD)

Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield

Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield are provided. A feedstock isground suitably fine for use infermentation. The feedstock may includecorn or any other suitable material. Insome cases, the feedstock undergoes afractionation prior to grinding. Theground feedstock may be slurried withwater and enzymes to facilitateconversion of the starch in the feedstockto sugars. The slurry may be about 35%solids. After being slurried, anethanologen may be added. Additionally,the pH of the slurry may be adjusted tobetween 4.2 and 5.2 to facilitate the priming A primer is added to the slurry. The primermay include any weak acid, and in some embodiments includes acetic acid. Acetic acid,

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when used as a primer, may be added at a concentration of between 1200 and 3600 partsper million. The slurry is fermented to produce improved yields of ethanol.

Número de publicación: US0344557 A1


Inventores: Stephen M. Lewis, Neelakantam V. Narendranath.

Solicitante: Poet Research, Inc.

Dry grind ethanol production process and system with front end milling method

A dry grind ethanol production process and system with front end millingmethod is provided for improving alcohol and/or by-product yields, such as oil and/orprotein yields. In one example, the process includes grinding corn kernels into particlesthen mixing the corn particles with a liquid to produce a slurry including oil, protein,starch, fiber, germ, and grit. Thereafter, the slurry is subjected to a front end millingmethod, which includes separating the slurry into a solids portion, including fiber, grit,and germ, and a liquid portion, including oil, protein, and starch, then milling theseparated solids portion to reduce the size of the germ and grit and release bound starch,oil, and protein from the solids portion. The starch is converted to sugar, and alcohol isproduced therefrom then recovered. Also, the fiber can be separated and recovered. Oiland protein may be separated and recovered as well.

Número de publicación: CA20122831268


Inventores: Lee Chie Ying

Solicitante: Lee Tech LLC

Method and apparatus for conversion of cellulosic material to ethanol

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion ofcellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, toethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuoushydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fibre

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fraction are produced. The fibre fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction andsaccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: - performing thehydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soakingoperation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurised reactor,and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fibrefraction and a liquid fraction; - selecting the temperature and residence time for thehydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintainedand at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fibre fraction.

Número de publicación: AU202325


Inventores: Gerlach, Lena Holm; Holm Christensen, Borge.

Solicitante: Inbicon A/S

Alcohol cycle production technology by taking cassava and molasses as raw materials

The invention relates to an alcohol and/ or organic fertilizer cycle productiontechnology by taking cassava and molasses as raw materials, which comprises thefollowing steps of: 1) stirring cassawa starch or smashing fresh cassawa starch, distillingto obtain alcohol and distillation waste liquor after cooking, liquefaction, saccharificationand fermentation; 2) separating the distillation waste liquor after the distillation wasteliquor is subjected to anaerobic treatment to obtain anaerobic clear liquid, cassawa slagsand sludge; 3) using the anaerobic clear liquid for molasses dilution and acidification; 4)fermenting and distilling the molasses to obtain alcohol and distillation waste liquor; 5)carrying out anaerobic treatment to the distillation waste liquor, and then evaporatingand condensing to obtain gas condensing water and concentrated liquor at 60-85DEGC; and 6) using the gas condensing water for cassawa starch mixing and/ or freshcassawa starch smashing to enter a next alcohol cycle production technology. Theconcentrated liquor is dried to obtain organic fertilizer, and relevant productiontechnology and similar technology are carried out by taking the molasses as a cyclestarting point. The technology is successively cycled for 30 batches, fermentation isnormal, the input amount of acid and alkali is greatly reduced in the production process,and the auxiliary material cost is greatly saved.

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Número de publicación: CN102703516


Inventores: 郑少波 (SHAOBO ZHENG)

Solicitante: 广西平果凯特生物化工有限公司 (GUANGXI PINGGUOKATE BIOLOG CHEMICAL CO LTD)

Method for preparing alcohol by using sugarcane top

The invention relates to a method for preparing alcohol by using sugarcane top.With sugarcane top as raw materials, lignin in the sugarcane is treated by adoptingPhanerochaetechrysosporium, celluloses are subjected to enzymolysis by using alpha-amylase and beta-glucosaccharase, and finally, fermentation is carried out by usingSaccharomycescerevisiae to obtain the alcohol. According to the method, the yield of thealcohol can reach 19.8g/L, and the average transformation rate of the alcohol reaches 83percent of a theoretical transformation rate.

Número de publicación: CN 10192279 A


Inventores: 杨晓锋 (XIAOFENG YANG)

Solicitante: 杨晓锋 (XIAOFENG YANG)

Method for preparing ethanol by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to ferment sugarbeet

The invention provides a method for preparing ethanol by using Saccharomycescerevisiae to ferment sugar beet. The method provided by the invention employsSaccharomyces cerevisiae as a starting strain, and sugar beet as a raw material; andSaccharomyces cerevisiae is used to conduct ethanol fermentation on pretreated juice.

Número de publicación: CN102851322 A


Inventores: 周雪琴 (ZHOU XUEQIN)

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Solicitante: 太仓市周氏化学品有限公司 (TAICANG ZHOUSHICHEMICAL PRODUCT CO LTD)

Bioethanol production method and production system

The present invention provides abioethanol production methodcomprising the following: a hydrationstep in which the ground product ofcassava residue and water are mixedwhile being heated and pressurizedcausing the ground product to behydrated; an enzyme addition step inwhich cellulase and glycoamylase areadded as hydrolases to the hydratedground product in order to obtain afermentation starting material; and a fermentation step in which a fermented mash isobtained from the fermentation starting material by ethanol fermentation using anethanol fermentative bacteria.

Número de publicación: WO2013114962 A1


Inventores: Yutaka Mitani y otros.

Solicitante: Sapporo Breweries Limited.

Publicaciones científicas

Como resultado de la búsqueda de publicaciones científicas se obtuvieron 4614publicaciones para el período 2009-2013. Las cuales se analizan a continuación.

13

FUENTE: elaboración propia a partir de datos de Scopus.com

El gráfico anterior muestra una producción relativamente estable depublicaciones científicas en la materia. Se destaca la producción del año 2011 donde latemática produjo 1037 publicaciones, un 10,5% más que el año anterior.

FUENTE: elaboración propia a partir de datos de Scopus.com

El gráfico anterior desglosa las publicaciones científica de los doce países con

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2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

783

9401037

919 935

Cantidad de publicacaciones por año

a nivel mundial sobre etanol

Publ

icac

ione

s

México

Italia

España

Holanda

Reino Unido

Alemania

Corea del Sur

Tailandia

Japón

Canadá

India

Brasil

China

Estados Unidos

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

Publicaciones científicas

por nacionalidad del autor entre 2008 y 2013

Cantidad de publicaciones

mayor producción de material sobre etanol para el período estudiado.

Se encontrar 22 publicaciones donde los autores o coautores pertenecen ainstituciones argentinas. Siete de estas publicaciones tienen participación de intitucionesradicadas en Tucumán entre las que se destacan la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán,algunos centros de investigación dependientes de CONICET en la provincia y laEstación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres.

Publicaciones científicas destacadas

Se presentan a continuación algunas de las publicaciones más citadas de 2013.

Se listan sus títulos, abstracts y algunos datos de interés.

Sustainable bioenergy production from marginal lands in the US Midwest

Legislation on biofuels production in the USA and Europe is directing foodcrops towards the production of grain-based ethanol, which can have detrimentalconsequences for soil carbon sequestration, nitrous oxide emissions, nitrate pollution,biodiversity and human health. An alternative is to grow lignocellulosic (cellulosic) cropson 'marginal' lands. Cellulosic feedstocks can have positive environmental outcomes andcould make up a substantial proportion of future energy portfolios. However, theavailability of marginal lands for cellulosic feedstock production, and the resultinggreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, remains uncertain. Here we evaluate the potential formarginal lands in ten Midwestern US states to produce sizeable amounts of biomassand concurrently mitigate GHG emissions. In a comparative assessment of sixalternative cropping systems over 20 years, we found that successional herbaceousvegetation, once well established, has a direct GHG emissions mitigation capacity thatrivals that of purpose-grown crops (-851 ± 46 grams of CO 2 equivalent emissions persquare metre per year (gCO 2 e m -2 yr -1)). If fertilized, these communities have thecapacity to produce about 63 ± 5 gigajoules of ethanol energy per hectare per year. Bycontrast, an adjacent, no-till corn-soybean-wheat rotation produces on average 41 ± 1gigajoules of biofuel energy per hectare per year and has a net direct mitigation capacityof -397 ± 32 gCO 2 e m -2 yr -1; a continuous corn rotation would probably produceabout 62 ± 7 gigajoules of biofuel energy per hectare per year, with 13% less mitigation.We also perform quantitative modelling of successional vegetation on marginal lands in

15

the region at a resolution of 0.4 hectares, constrained by the requirement that eachmodelled location be within 80 kilometres of a potential biorefinery. Our results suggestthat such vegetation could produce about 21 gigalitres of ethanol per year from around11 million hectares, or approximately 25 per cent of the 2022 target for cellulosic biofuelmandated by the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, with no initialcarbon debt nor the indirect land-use costs associated with food-based biofuels. Otherregional-scale aspects of biofuel sustainability, such as water quality and biodiversity,await future study. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Autores: Gelfand I., Sahajpal R., Zhang X., Izaurralde R.C., Gross K.L.,Robertson G.P.

Instituciones: Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan StateUniversity, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; W.K. Kellogg Biological Station,Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI 49060, United States; Joint GlobalChange Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University ofMaryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States; Department of GeographicalSciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, United States; Departmentof Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States;Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, EastLansing, MI 48824, United States

Fuente de publicación: Nature

ISSN: 280836

Recent land use change in the Western Corn Belt threatens grasslands and wetlands

In the US Corn Belt, a recent doubling in commodity prices has createdincentives for landowners to convert grassland to corn and soybean cropping. Here, weuse land cover data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service Cropland DataLayer to assess grassland conversion from 2006 to 2011 in the Western Corn Belt(WCB): five states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, andIowa. Our analysis identifies areas with elevated rates of grass-to-corn/soy conversion(1.0-5.4% annually). Across the WCB, we found a net decline in grass-dominated landcover totaling nearly 530,000 ha. With respect to agronomic attributes of lands

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undergoing grassland conversion, corn/soy production is expanding onto marginal landscharacterized by high erosion risk and vulnerability to drought. Grassland conversion isalso concentrated in close proximity to wetlands, posing a threat to waterfowl breedingin the Prairie Pothole Region. Longer-term land cover trends from North Dakota andIowa indicate that recent grassland conversion represents a persistent shift in land userather than short-term variability in crop rotation patterns. Our results show that theWCB is rapidly moving down a pathway of increased corn and soybean cultivation. As aresult, the window of opportunity for realizing the benefits of a biofuel industry basedon perennial bioenergy crops, rather than corn ethanol and soy biodiesel, may be closingin the WCB.

Autores: Wright C.K., Wimberly M.C.

Instituciones: Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence, SouthDakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, United States

Fuente de publicación: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ofthe United States of America

ISSN: 278424

Isolation and characterization of herbaceous lignins for applications in biomaterials

The imminent industrial production of cellulosic ethanol from annual plantswill generate massive amounts of herbaceous lignins that will have to be valorized.However, the chemical and physical properties of herbaceous lignins are much lessknown than those of wood lignins. In the present study, organosolv lignins wereextracted from wheat, triticale, corn, flax, and hemp residues using microwave irradiationunder similar conditions. The extracted lignins were extensively analyzed by FT-IR, 31PNMR, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental andcarbohydrate analysis to determine their applicability in polymers. All lignins were ofhigh purity with low sugar, sulfur, and ash content. Corn, hemp, and flax lignins werefound to contain high concentrations of non-methoxylated phenolic groups, syringylphenolic groups, and aliphatic OH groups, respectively, making them promisingcandidates for production of phenolic resins, stabilization of polyolefins, andpolyurethane synthesis, respectively. Triticale or wheat lignins were less specific, with a

17

balanced content of OH groups, which makes them applicable to polyester synthesis. ©2012.

Autores: Monteil-Rivera F., Phuong M., Ye M., Halasz A., Hawari J.

Instituciones: Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Councilof Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave., Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada

Fuente de publicación: Industrial Crops and Products

ISSN: 9266690

Optimization of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation for the productionof ethanol from sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) bagasse using response surface methodology

The response surface method was used to investigate the effects of processparameters, including temperature from 35 to 45 °C, enzyme loading from 10 to 30filter paper units (FPU)/g-glucan, yeast concentration from 0.5 to 1.5. g/L, and bagassesolid concentration from 4 to 10% on ethanol yield, concentration and production rateduring simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of sweet sorghum bagasse.The results showed that the maximum ethanol yield, concentration and production ratewere obtained at different SSF conditions. Under the recommended SSF condition ofthe temperature at 37 °C, yeast concentration at 1.4. g/L, enzyme loading at 25 FPU/g-glucan and bagasse solid concentration at 10%, the ethanol yield, concentration andproduction rate were 89.4%, 38. g/L and 1.28. g/L/h, respectively. The bagasse solidconcentration had significant effects on the ethanol concentration and ethanolproduction rate. The optimum bagasse solid concentration for the ethanol yield was 7%.The increase of the bagasse solid concentration significantly increased the final ethanolconcentration but decreased the ethanol production rate. Fed batch operation could beused to maintain the bagasse solid concentration at a low value (e.g., 7%) to achieve highethanol yield and production rate while increasing the final ethanol concentration. ©2012 Elsevier B.V.

Autores: Wang L., Luo Z., Shahbazi A.

Instituciones: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design,North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Sockwell Hall, 1601 E

18

Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, United States; Department of Chemical andBioengineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, SockwellHall, 1601 E Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, United States


ISSN: 9266690

Fructose: it's "alcohol without the buzz".

What do the Atkins Diet and the traditional Japanese diet have in common?The Atkins Diet is low in carbohydrate and usually high in fat; the Japanese diet is highin carbohydrate and usually low in fat. Yet both work to promote weight loss. Onecommonality of both diets is that they both eliminate the monosaccharide fructose.Sucrose (table sugar) and its synthetic sister high fructose corn syrup consist of 2molecules, glucose and fructose. Glucose is the molecule that when polymerized formsstarch, which has a high glycemic index, generates an insulin response, and is notparticularly sweet. Fructose is found in fruit, does not generate an insulin response, andis very sweet. Fructose consumption has increased worldwide, paralleling the obesity andchronic metabolic disease pandemic. Sugar (i.e., fructose-containing mixtures) has beenvilified by nutritionists for ages as a source of "empty calories," no different from anyother empty calorie. However, fructose is unlike glucose. In the hypercaloric glycogen-replete state, intermediary metabolites from fructose metabolism overwhelm hepaticmitochondrial capacity, which promotes de novo lipogenesis and leads to hepatic insulinresistance, which drives chronic metabolic disease. Fructose also promotes reactiveoxygen species formation, which leads to cellular dysfunction and aging, and promoteschanges in the brain's reward system, which drives excessive consumption. Thus, fructosecan exert detrimental health effects beyond its calories and in ways that mimic those ofethanol, its metabolic cousin. Indeed, the only distinction is that because fructose is notmetabolized in the central nervous system, it does not exert the acute neuronaldepression experienced by those imbibing ethanol. These metabolic and hedonicanalogies argue that fructose should be thought of as "alcohol without the buzz."

Autores: Lustig R.H.

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Instituciones: Department of Pediatrics and the Philip R. Lee Institute forHealth Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Fuente de publicación: Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)

ISSN: 21565376

Infield greenhouse gas emissions from sugarcane soils in brazil: Effects fromsynthetic and organic fertilizer application and crop trash accumulation

Bioethanol from sugarcane is becoming an increasingly important alternativeenergy source worldwide as it is considered to be both economically andenvironmentally sustainable. Besides being produced from a tropical perennial grasswith high photosynthetic efficiency, sugarcane ethanol is commonly associated with lowN fertilizer use because sugarcane from Brazil, the world's largest sugarcane producer,has a low N demand. In recent years, several models have predicted that the use ofsugarcane ethanol in replacement to fossil fuel could lead to high greenhouse gas(GHG) emission savings. However, empirical data that can be used to validate modelpredictions and estimates from indirect methodologies are scarce, especially with regardto emissions associated with different fertilization methods and agriculturalmanagement practices commonly used in sugarcane agriculture in Brazil. In this study,we provide in situ data on emissions of three GHG (CO2, N2O, and CH4) fromsugarcane soils in Brazil and assess how they vary with fertilization methods andmanagement practices. We measured emissions during the two main phases of thesugarcane crop cycle (plant and ratoon cane), which include different fertilizationmethods and field conditions. Our results show that N2O and CO2 emissions in plantcane varied significantly depending on the fertilization method and that waste productsfrom ethanol production used as organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizer, as it is thecommon practice in Brazil, increase emission rates significantly. Cumulatively, thehighest emissions were observed for ratoon cane treated with vinasse (liquid waste fromethanol production) especially as the amount of crop trash on the soil surface increased.Emissions of CO2 and N2O were 6.9 kg ha-1 yr-1 and 7.5 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively,totaling about 3000 kg in CO2 equivalent ha-1 yr-1. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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Autores: Carmo J.B.D., Filoso S., Zotelli L.C., De Sousa Neto E.R., PitomboL.M., Duarte-Neto P.J., Vargas V.P., Andrade C.A., Gava G.J.C., Rossetto R.,Cantarella H., Neto A.E., Martinelli L.A.

Instituciones: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federalde São Carlos, campus Sorocaba, Rod. João Leme dos Santos km 110, Sorocaba, CEP18052-780, Brazil; Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Centerfor Environmental Science, Solomons, MD, 20688, United States; Divisão deSustentabilidade, Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, Av. Barão de Itapura 1481,Campinas, CEP 13020-902, Brazil; Fertilidade do solo, Centro de TecnologiaCanavieira, Fazenda Santo Antônio, Piracicaba, CEP 13400-970, Brazil; Centro deEnergia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Centenário 303,Piracicaba, CEP 13400-970, Brazil; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária,EMPRAPA Meio Ambiente, Rodovia SP 340 km 127.5, Jaguariúna, CEP 13820-000,Brazil; Agência Paulista de Tecnologia, Polo Jau, Rodovia Deputado Leônidas PachecoFerreiro km 304, CEP 17201-970, Jau, Brazil; Agência Paulista de Tecnologia, PoloPiracicaba, Rodovia SP 127 km 30, Piracicaba, CEP 13400-970, Brazil; UnidadeAcadêmica de Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Bom Pastors/n, Boa Vista, Garanhuns, PE, 55.292-270, Brazil

Fuente de publicación: GCB Bioenergy

ISSN: 17571693

Fermentation of liquefacted hydrothermally pretreated sweet sorghum bagasse toethanol at high-solids content

The ability of sweet sorghum bagasse to be utilized as feedstock for ethanolproduction at high initial dry matter concentration was investigated. In order to achievehigh enzymatic hydrolysis yield, a hydrothermal pretreatment prior to liquefaction andsaccharification was applied. Response surface methodology had been employed in orderto optimize the pretreatment step, taking into account the yield of cellulose hydrolysis.Liquefaction of the pretreated bagasse was performed at a specially designedliquefaction chamber at 50. °C for either 12 or 24. h using an enzyme loading of 10.FPU/g·DM and 18% DM. Fermentation of liquefacted bagasse was not affected by

21

liquefaction duration and leaded to an ethanol production of 41.43. g/L and avolumetric productivity of 1.88. g/L. h. The addition of extra enzymes at the start up ofSSF enhanced both ethanol concentration and volumetric productivity by 16% and 17%after 12 and 24. h saccharification, respectively. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Matsakas L., Christakopoulos P.

Instituciones: BIOtechMASS Unit, Biotechnology Laboratory, School ofChemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 5 Iroon PolytechniouStr., Zografou Campus, 15700 Athens, Greece

Fuente de publicación: Bioresource Technology

ISSN: 9608524

Feasibility of simultaneous saccharification and juice co-fermentation onhydrothermal pretreated sweet sorghum bagasse for ethanol production

For a commercial breakthrough of ethanol production from lignocelluloses, onemain challenge still exists in achieving high ethanol concentrations during fermentation.Using sweet sorghum as a feedstock for ethanol production has the advantage to haveboth, directly fermentable sugars in the juice as well as sugars from lignocellulose of theplant fibers. A novel concept is presented, which combines the fermentation ofdewatered sweet sorghum bagasse after hydrothermal pretreatment and sweet sorghumjuice in one process step. For the pretreatment of sweet sorghum bagasse, liquid hotwater was used as a reagent. Combinations of different retention times and targettemperatures (170-200°C) were investigated for severities between logR0=3.51 and 4.09.Further, a mathematical function of first order was established to describe the solubilityof hemicellulose with reference to the severity. The highest solubilization ofhemicellulose obtained was 85% with the highest severity applied (logR0=4.09, targettemperature 200°C). Additionally the cellulose content was enriched from an initial36% DM (raw bagasse) to 59% DM. For almost all the pretreatment conditions the pHin the supernatant remained higher than or equal to the critical value of 4. Forsimultaneous saccharification and fermentation trials of the dewatered pretreated butnon-washed material, a maximum convertibility of cellulose of 74% was obtained at aseverity of logR0=4.02 (190°C). When sweet sorghum juice with a sugar concentration

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of 100g/L was mixed with the pretreated and dewatered bagasse (logR0=4.0, 190°C) toa water-insoluble solids content of 7.5%, 53g/L ethanol was achieved after 168h offermentation. The convertibility of cellulose after this time remained unaffected by thejuice addition. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Rohowsky B., Hassler T., Gladis A., Remmele E., Schieder D.,Faulstich M.

Instituciones: Technische Universität München, Chair of Resource andEnergy Technology, Petersgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany; Technologie- undFörderzentrum, Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany; Technische UniversitätMünchen, Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources, Schulgasse 16, 94315 Straubing,Germany

Fuente de publicación: Applied Energy

ISSN: 3062619

Mass-cultivation of carbohydrate rich macroalgae, a possible solution forsustainable biofuel production

Global demand for bio-fuels continues unabated. Rising concerns overenvironmental pollution and global warming have encouraged the movement toalternate fuels, the world ethanol market is projected to reach 86 billion litres this year.Bioethanol is currently produced from land-based crops such as corn and sugar cane. Acontinued use of these crops drives the food versus fuel debate. An alternate feed-stockwhich is abundant and carbohydrate-rich is necessary. The production of such a cropshould be sustainable, and, reduce competition with production of food, feed, andindustrial crops, and not be dependent on agricultural inputs (pesticides, fertilizer,farmable land, water). Marine biomass could meet these challenges, being an abundantand carbon neutral renewable resource with potential to reduce green house gas (GHG)emissions and the man-made impact on climate change. Here we examine the currentcultivation technologies for marine biomass and the environmental and economicaspects of using brown seaweeds for bio-ethanol production. © 2010 SpringerScience+Business Media B.V.

Autores: Kraan S.

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Instituciones: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Fuente de publicación: Ocean Harvest Technology Ltd., N17 Business Park,Milltown, Co, Galway, Ireland

ISSN: 13812386

Publicaciones de investigadores nacionales

Capturing latecomer advantages in the adoption of biofuels: The case of Argentina

Although Argentina came late to the biofuels revolution, a series of measurestaken recently at federal and provincial government level have created newopportunities. New federal laws on biofuels promotion have sparked an investmentboom. The main activity has been in the biodiesel sector-partly because diesel is thedominant fuel sector in Argentina, and partly because the country had alreadyengineered a soy revolution over the past 15 years, becoming the world's largest exporterof soy oil and soy meal. Biodiesel allows this revolution to be extended-from soy asfoodstuff to soy as fuelstock. The biodiesel revolution now underway promises to extendArgentina's latecomer advantages by combining greater scale and lower costs withintroduced technical innovations such as genetically modified crops and no-till farming.In this way, Argentina can be seen to be demonstrating the superiority of biofuelproduction in countries of the South over the conditions obtaining in countries of theNorth-including superior resources availability, superior energetics and lower costs.Whereas Brazil has demonstrated its superiority in sugarcane-based ethanol, Argentinais about to demonstrate its superiority in soy-based biodiesel. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. Allrights reserved.

Autores: Mathews J.A., Goldsztein H.

Instituciones: Macquarie Graduate School of Management, MacquarieUniversity, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; BiogasBiodiesel.Biz, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Energy Policy

Año de publicación: 2009

ISSN: 3014215

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Ethanol potential production from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)irrigated with urban waste water

Helianthus tuberosus L. is a potentially useful crop for bioetanol production,which will be needed to add to gasoline used in Argentina since 2010. Some studiesindicate that 4500 l of ethanol can be produced from 50 tons of tubers. In this work wecompared yield of two Jerusalem artichoke cultivars using two types of irrigation: urbanwaste water (UWW) and ground water (GW). The research was conducted in theUrban Waste Water Treatment Plant of Obras Sanitarias Mendoza in Tunuyán(33°32'89'' S and 69°00'80'' W). Ethanol poten-tial production was estimated from theamount of fermentable carbohydrates in the tubers. Tuber yield showed differencesbetween type of water treatment, being 177750 kg/ha in UWW and 144000 kg/ha inGW. The potential to produce ethanol was 15000 l in plots irrigated with UWW and13000 l in the GW irrigated. To produce 1 l of ethanol from tubers, 11 kg will beneeded, considering that soluble solids in tubers were about 16%.

Autores: Lelio H., Rebora C., Gomez L.

Instituciones: Dpto. de Producción Agropecuaria, Facultad de CienciasAgrarias, UNCuyo. Alte. Brown 500. Chacras de Coria, Mendoza, M5528AHB,Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias


ISSN: 3704661

Set-asides can be better climate investment than corn ethanol

Although various studies have shown that corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions by displacing fossil fuel use, many of these studies fail to include howland-use history affects the net carbon balance through changes in soil carbon content.We evaluated the effectiveness and economic value of corn and cellulosic ethanolproduction for reducing net GHG emissions when produced on lands with differentland-use histories, comparing these strategies with reductions achieved by set-asideprograms such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Depending on prior land

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use, our analysis shows that C releases from the soil after planting corn for ethanol mayin some cases completely offset C gains attributed to biofuel generation for at least 50years. More surprisingly, based on our comprehensive analysis of 142 soil studies, soil Csequestered by setting aside former agricultural land was greater than the C creditsgenerated by planting corn for ethanol on the same land for 40 years and had equal orgreater economic net present value. Once commercially available, cellulosic ethanolproduced in set-aside grasslands should provide the most efficient tool for GHGreduction of any scenario we examined. Our results suggest that conversion of CRPlands or other set-aside programs to corn ethanol production should not be encouragedthrough greenhouse gas policies. © 2009 by the Ecological Society of America.

Autores: Pineiro G., Jobbagy E.G., Baker J., Murray B.C., Jackson R.B.

Instituciones: Department of Biology, Nicholas School of the Environment,Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0338, United States; IFEVA, Facultad deAgronomía, UBA/CONICET, Buenos Aires, 1417, Argentina; IMASL UniversidadNacional de San Luis/CONICET, San Luis, 5700, Argentina; Center on GlobalChange, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0658, United States; Texas A and MUniversity, College Station, TX 77843-2124, United States; Nicholas Institute forEnvironmental Policy Solutions, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States

Fuente de publicación: Ecological Applications


ISSN: 10510761

An MILP approach to the optimization of cyanobacteria metabolic network forbioethanol production

Different alternatives to fossil fuels are currently being studied to reduce thedependence on non-renewable resources. Biofuels constitute relevant sustainablecomplements and/or substitutes to petroleum fuels due to energy security reasons,environmental concerns, foreign exchange savings, and socioeconomic issues related tothe rural sector. The most common renewable fuel is ethanol derived from corn grainand sugar cane (sucrose). The use of lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive alternative, assecond generation pathways for bioethanol production. On the other hand, third

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generation biofuels are obtained through algae. Cyanobacteria are an abundant anddiverse group of ancient autotrophic prokaryotes that perform oxygenic photosynthesis;they played a crucial role in the change of reductive to oxidative atmosphere in thePrecambrian period. Cyanobacteria live in freshwater, marine and terrestrialenvironments and show a wide diversity of morphologies, metabolisms and cellstructures, they have several features that make them attractive to obtain commercialinterest products in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biofuels, and other industries. Theyreach high cellular densities in culture and have simple growth requirements: light,carbon dioxide, and other inorganic nutrients to growth. Few authors have studiedethanol production from cyanobacteria (Deng & Coleman, 1998; Dexter & Fu, 2009).Ethanol production through cyanobacteria allows the coupling of energy productionwith the capture of industrial carbon dioxide emissions to reduce greenhouse gassespollution, without competing with food production. However, current reported ethanolyields still require improvement to make this technology economically attractive. Forcost-effective production of ethanol, the metabolic pathways involved in its generationmust be engineered and optimized. Advances in metabolic engineering and syntheticbiology based on gene sequence, biochemical and physiological data availability in publicdatabases with the constant improvement of the mathematical tools can help toaccelerate the development of desired phenotypes for the production of economicallyviable biofuels (Lee et al. 2008; Picataggio, 2009). In this work, we formulate a mixed-integer linear programming model to represent gene deletions in a metabolic networkfor the recombinant cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 to maximizeethanol production, while maximizing biomass growth. The model includes more than800 reactions from the glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, citric acid cycle andCalvin cycle, and gene insertions corresponding to pyruvate decarboxylase (pdc) andalcohol dehydrogenase II (adhII) from obligately Zymomonas mobilis intoSynechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 (Dexter and Fu, 2009) to enable the ethanolproducing pathway. The model has been implemented in GAMS (Brooke et al., 1997)and solved with CPLEX. Numerical results provide useful insights on understanding ofcellular metabolism as well as designing of metabolic engineering strategies for ethanolproduction using carbon dioxide as carbon source.

Autores: Paulo C., Estrada V., Di Maggio J.A., Diaz M.S.

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Instituciones: Department of Chemical Engineering, Planta Piloto deIngenieria Química (PLAPIQUI), Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia Blanca,Argentina; Department of Chemical Engineering, Planta Piloto de Ingenieria Quimica(PLAPIQUI), Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: 10AIChE - 2010 AIChE Annual Meeting, ConferenceProceedings


ISBN: 9780816910656

Bioethanol production from grape and sugar beet pomaces by solid-statefermentation

A suitable alternative to replace fossil fuels is the production of bioethanolfrom agroindustrial waste. Grape pomace is the most abundant residue in San Juan andsugar beet pomace could be important in the region. Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) isa technology that allows transforming agroindustrial waste into many valuablebioproducts, like ethanol. This work reports a laboratory scale SSF to obtain alcoholfrom grape and sugar beet pomace by means of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. Theinitial conditions of the culture medium were: sugars 16.5% (p/p); pH 4.5; humidity68% (p/p). Cultures were inoculated with 108 cells/g of pomace, and incubated inanaerobic environment, at 28 °C, during 96 h. SSF showed ethanol maximumconcentrations at 48 h and ethanol yield on sugars consumed was more than 82%. Yieldattained creates expectation about the use of SSF to obtain fuel alcohol. © 2009Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Autores: Rodriguez L.A., Toro M.E., Vazquez F., Correa-Daneri M.L.,Gouiric S.C., Vallejo M.D.

Instituciones: Biotechnology Institute, Engineering Faculty, NationalUniversity of San Juan, Av. San Martín 1109 (Oeste), 5400 San Juan, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy


ISSN: 3603199

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Effects of gamma irradiation on bio-chemical and physico-chemical parameters offresh-cut red beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. conditiva) root

Red beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. conditiva) root is a popular item present in readyto eat salads and minimally processed foods. In this research, the effect of low doses ofgamma radiation (1 and 2 kGy) on peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) andphenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities, as well as on the levels of compoundsrelated to the response to the oxidative stress of plant metabolism, the changes in colourand the mechanical behaviour of fresh-cut red beet root were analyzed, with the purposeof understanding the influence of the processing on tissue characteristics. Cell wallmodifications were also studied through sequential extractions of polysaccharides fromthe alcohol-insoluble residues (AIR) obtained from each tissue. Irradiation seemed tocontribute to higher cell-cell adhesion through increasing of calcium-cross linking at themiddle lamellae regions, in addition to an increment of cross-links of polymers into thecell wall. Chemical modifications produced in the cell walls as a response to higher levelsof H2O2 and subsequent POX mediated effects, were visualized structurally as a moreelastic behaviour of irradiated tissues and rigidification of cell walls of treated roots,though puncture test did not reveal significant differences. Microscopy showed acontinuum of thick cell walls in beet root tissue, which suffered slight modificationsafter irradiation, coherent with the bio-chemical results obtained. It can be concludedthat irradiation doses of 1 or 2 kGy produced bio-chemical changes in cellular contentsas well as in the cell wall constitutive networks which not necessarily could be sensed byconsumers as it was objectively evaluated through a puncture test. At the same time, thementioned changes involved an increase in the antioxidant capacity of red beet roottissue, showing that studied doses could be interesting to be used in the frame of acombined technique for red beet processing. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Autores: Latorre M.E., Narvaiz P., Rojas A.M., Gerschenson L.N.

Instituciones: Departamento de Industrias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas yNaturales (FCEN), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) Ciudad Universitaria,Intendente Güiraldes 2620, 1428 Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; FoodIrradiation Section, Radiation Technology and Applications, Ezeiza Atomic Center,Argentina

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Fuente de publicación: Journal of Food Engineering


ISSN: 2608774

Biotechnology for agro-industrial development and sustainability of the NorthwestArgentina

In 1994, a group whose aims were both scientific research and technologicaldevelopment was set up. This team was inspired by the increasing demand of the agro-industrial sector in the North West of Argentina. Besides financial considerationsinherent to the productive process, social and environmental issues were borne in mindwhen research had to be carried out. The conceptual premises of scientific work were thestudy, preservation and a judicious use of biodiversity; equally important was therelentless search for phytosanitary management alternatives which were friendly to bothhumans and the environment. Thus, in 1997, the first National Program of StrawberryGenetic Breeding in Argentina started at INSIBIO (CONICET-UNT), Tucumán. ThisInstitute coordinated this program on a national level. Thanks to an agreement betweenINSIBIO and the Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC),in 2002, the EEAOC's Biotechnology Department, a Unit Associated to INSIBIO, wasfounded. One of the main goals of this department was both to develop and adapttechnologies to support institutional ongoing programs which intended not only toincrease productivity but also to confer more sustainability to those agro-industriesrelated to sugar and alcohol, soybean and citrus. And most importantly, a new scientificand technological team constituted by professionals working with other groups fromdifferent research centers nationwide came into existence. Their common goal has beenthe improvement of agro-industrial productive processes in order to help build a societywhich is fair and equitable for both the present and the future.

Autores: Castagnaro A.P., Filippone M.P., Noguera A.S., Perera M.F., VellicceG.R., Mamani A.I., Ontivero M.I., Arias M.E., Racedo J., Garcia M.G., Paz N., DiazM.E., Sendin L.N., Pardo E.M., Orce I.G., Rocha C.M.L., Sepulveda Tusek M.,Martinez Zamora G., Salazar S.M., Dantur K.I., Rigano L., Torres P., Chalfoun N.R.,Marano M.R., Vojnov A., Ploper D.L., Diaz Ricci J.C.

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Instituciones: Sección Biotecnología, Estación Experimental AgroindustrialObispo Colombres (EEAOC), Unidad Asociada al Instituto Superior deInvestigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO; CONICET - UNT), Av. William Cross 3150,Las Talitas, Tucumán, Argentina; Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas(INSIBIO; CONICET - UNT), Chacabuco 461, CP 4000, San Miguel de Tucumán,Tucumán, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo,Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Miguel Lillo 205, C.P. 4000, San Miguel deTucumán, Tucumán, Argentina; Fundación Pablo Cassará, Centro de Ciencia YTecnología Dr. Cesar Milstein, Saladillo 2468, C1440FFX, Ciudad de Buenos Aires,Argentina; Instituto de Biología Molecular Y Celular de Rosario (IBR - CONICET),Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas Y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario,Suipacha 531, CP 2000, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina; Sección Fitopatología, EstaciónExperimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC), Av. William Cross 3150,Las Talitas, Tucumán, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: BAG - Journal of Basic and Applied Genetics


ISSN: 16660390

Composite materials of thermoplastic starch and fibers from the ethanol-waterfractionation of bagasse

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the fibrous materialobtained from ethanol-water fractionation of bagasse as reinforcement of thermoplasticstarches in order to improve their mechanical properties. The composites wereelaborated using matrices of corn and cassava starches plasticized with 30wt% glycerin.The mixtures (0, 5, 10 and 15wt% bagasse fiber) were elaborated in a rheometer at150°C. The mixtures obtained were pressed on a hot plate press at 155°C. The testspecimens were obtained according to ASTM D638. Tensile tests, moisture absorptiontests for 24 days (20-23°C and 53% RH, ASTM E104), and dynamic-mechanicalanalyses (DMA) in tensile mode were carried out. Images by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were obtained. Fibers (10wt% bagasse fiber)increased tensile strength by 44% and 47% compared to corn and cassava starches,

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respectively. The reinforcement (15wt% bagasse fiber) increased more than fourfold theelastic modulus on starch matrices. The storage modulus at 30°C (E30°C ) increased as′

the bagasse fiber content increased, following the trend of tensile elastic modulus. Theresults indicate that these fibers have potential applications in the development ofbiodegradable composite materials. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Autores: Vallejos M.E., Curvelo A.A.S., Teixeira E.M., Mendes F.M.,Carvalho A.J.F., Felissia F.E., Area M.C.

Instituciones: Programa de Investigación de Celulosa y Papel, Facultad deCiencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Félix deAzara 1552, 3300 Posadas, Misiones, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de InvestigacionesCientíficas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto de Química de São Carlos,Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, 13560-970 São Paulo, Brazil; Embrapa, 13560-970, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Materials Engineering, University ofSão Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil



ISSN: 9266690

Global sensitivity analysis in bioreactor networks

A global sensitivity analysis applying variance-based techniques is implementedfor a bioreactors network used in the production of ethanol from molasses sugar andvinases distillates. Two types of bioreactors are considered, an aerobic for biomassproduction and an anaerobic for ethanol production. Probability distributions areassigned to each uncertain parameter, thus temporal profiles for the sensitivity indicesare obtained for the main differential and algebraic variables. Sobol's method (1990) isused, performing stochastic simulations within gPROMS environment (PSEnterprise,2009). Numerical results show the time-variant influence of the parameter during thefermenters operating time. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Autores: Ochoa M.P., Hoch P.M.

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Instituciones: Planta Piloto de Ingenieria Química - CONICET - 8000Bahia Blanca, Argentina Universidad Nacional del Sur, Departamento de IngenieríaQuímica - 8000 Bahia Blanca, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Año de publicación:

ISSN: 15707946

Mating disruption of the ambrosia beetle Megaplatypus mutatus in poplar andhazelnut plantations using reservoir systems for pheromones

Megaplatypus mutatus (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae) isan ambrosia beetle native to South America, but it has recently been introduced intoItaly and represents a serious problem in commercial poplar and fruit tree plantations.Male M. mutatus emit a sex pheromone composed of (+)-6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol [(+)-sulcatol], 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone), and 3-pentanol. We performed threefield trials of mating disruption of M. mutatus in hazelnut and poplar plantations inArgentina and Italy. To perform these tests, we made plastic pheromone reservoir-typedispensers for sulcatol, sulcatone, and 3-pentanol with zero-order kinetics that weredeployed in the field during the female flight period. The number of galleries wheremating took place was significantly higher in control than in treated areas, indicatingthat pheromone application had interfered with female behavior and male localization.Because damage reduction was >56% in both countries, these results demonstrate thepotential for the strategy of pheromone-mediated mating disruption of M. mutatus incommercial poplar and hazelnut plantations. Also, our study provides the first evidencefor successful pheromone-mediated mating disruption in a forest beetle. © 2011 TheAuthors. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata © 2011 The NetherlandsEntomological Society.

Autores: Funes H., Griffo R., Zerba E., Gonzalez-Audino P.

Instituciones: Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas, JB de LaSalle 4397, (B1603ALO) Villa Martelli, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; ServizioFitosanitario Regione Campania, Italy; 3IA, Universidad de General San Martín, Av.52, Nro. 3563, (1650) San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Fuente de publicación: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata


ISSN: 138703

Design and planning of infrastructures for bioethanol and sugar production underdemand uncertainty

In this paper, we address the strategic planning of integrated bioethanol-sugarsupply chains (SC) under uncertainty in the demand. The design task is formulated as amulti-scenario mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem that decides on thecapacity expansions of the production and storage facilities of the network over timealong with the associated planning decisions (i.e., production rates, sales, etc.). TheMILP model seeks to optimize the expected performance of the SC under severalfinancial risk mitigation options. This consideration gives a rise to a multi-objectiveformulation, whose solution is given by a set of network designs that respond indifferent ways to the actual realization of the demand (the uncertain parameter). Thecapabilities of our approach are demonstrated through a case study based on theArgentinean sugarcane industry. Results include the investment strategy for the optimalSC configuration along with an analysis of the effect of demand uncertainty on theeconomic performance of several biofuels SC structures. © 2011 The Institution ofChemical Engineers.

Autores: Kostin A.M., Guillen-Gosalbez G., Mele F.D., Bagajewicz M.J.,Jimenez L.

Instituciones: Departament d'Enginyeria Química (EQ), Escola TècnicaSuperior d'Enginyeria Química (ETSEQ), Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), CampusSescelades, Avinguda Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain; Dpto. Ingeniería deProcesos, FACET, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Av. Independencia 1800, S. M. deTucumán T4002BLR, Argentina; School of Chemical Biological and MaterialsEngineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, United States

Fuente de publicación: Chemical Engineering Research and Design


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ISSN: 2638762

Efficiency of Ovidia andina extracts in the control of the plant pathogenRhizoctonia solani

The evaluation of plant extracts as disease suppressive is an option to look foralternative crop health management options. Pillo-pillo (Ovidia andina, Thymelaeaceae)is native to southern Argentina and Chile. O. andina extracts control plant damagingarthropods. Our objective was to evaluate O. andina extracts for the control of the plantpathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Powdered and dried aerial parts were successivelyextracted by maceration with dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and methanol. Aqueousextract was obtained by decoction of aerial plant parts. The fungus was cultivated onPDA added with CH2Cl2 extract (diluted in CH 2Cl2), methanolic, ethanolic andaqueous extract (diluted in ethanol), and hydrodistillation remaining water (diluted inH2O), all at 1:10 and 1:100 v/v (controls: CH2Cl2, ethanol, water). Pathogen growthwas significantly reduced by 1:10 CH2Cl 2 extract, showing hyphal alterations. Whenfive CH 2Cl2 extract fractions diluted in CH2Cl 2 were tested, fraction 5 showed equalefficiency as the whole extract. To evaluate extract effect on fungal colonization of plantorgans, beetroot glomerules incubated in R. solani colonized soil were recovered, blotteddry and submerged in 1:10 CH2Cl2 extract for 30, 60, 90, 120, or 150 s (controls: water,CH2Cl2). Glomerules were again recovered, blotted dry, and incubated on PDA forpathogen emergence. Infection was significantly reduced by extract treatments for 120 s.These results are the basis of future greenhouse experiments and led us to continue withfurther phytochemical investigation of O. andina. Bioguided fractionation of theextracts will enable us to search for new antifungal compounds.

Autores: Tito Mansilla J., Broussalis A.M., Tarcaya V.P., Cufre I.M., RiveraM.C., Fabrizio M.C., Wright E.R.

Instituciones: UNSAM, Av. Gral. Paz, e/Albarellos, (1650) Buenos Aires,Argentina; Cátedra de Farmacognosia, IQUIMEFA (UBA-CONICET), Universidadde Buenos Aires, Junín 956, (1115), Ciudad Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad deAgronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453 (1417), Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Acta Horticulturae

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ISSN: 5677572

Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1101 highly produces mannitol from sugarcane molassesas carbon source

Mannitol is a natural polyol extensively used in the food industry as low-caloriesugar being applicable for diabetic food products. We aimed to evaluate mannitolproduction by Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1101 using sugarcane molasses as low-costenergy source. Mannitol formation was studied in free-pH batch cultures using 3-10%(w/v) molasses concentrations at 37 °C and 30 °C under static and agitated conditionsduring 48 h. L. reuteri CRL 1101 grew well in all assayed media andheterofermentatively converted glucose into lactic and acetic acids and ethanol. Fructosewas used as an alternative electron acceptor and reduced it to mannitol in all mediaassayed. Maximum mannitol concentrations of 177.7±26.6 and 184.5±22.5 mM werefound using 7.5% and 10% molasses, respectively, at 37 °C after 24-h incubation.Increasing the molasses concentration from 7.5% up to 10% (w/v) and the fermentationperiod up to 48 h did not significantly improve mannitol production. In agitatedcultures, high mannitol values (144.8± 39.7 mM) were attained at 8 h of fermentation ascompared to static ones (5.6±2.9 mM), the highest mannitol concentration value(211.3±15.5 mM) being found after 24 h. Mannitol 2-dehydrogenase (MDH) activitywas measured during growth in all fermentations assayed; the highest MDH values wereobtained during the log growth phase, and no correlation between MDH activities andmannitol productionwas observed in the fermentations performed. L. reuteri CRL 1101successfully produced mannitol from sugarcane molasses being a promising candidatefor microbial mannitol synthesis using low-cost substrate. © Springer-Verlag 2012.

Autores: Ortiz M.E., Fornaguera M.J., Raya R.R., Mozzi F.

Instituciones: Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology


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ISSN: 1757598

Obtaining superfine ethanol in a Cuban distillery

This paper describes obtaining superfine ethanol in a Cuban distillery frommolasses as base raw material. The operational characteristics of the main stages forobtaining superfine alcohol have been described, emphasising alcohol fermentation dueto its complexity in achieving process continuity; a Gantt chart led to determining a 31-hour process time and 5-hour cycle time. The influence of fermentation yield on processprofitability was determined through mass and energy balances, demonstrating that a4°GL degree of alcohol was feasible. The main water-consuming elements were alsodetermined (98% in molasses dilution) as well as steam consumption (91% duringdistillation). A preliminary analysis was made of the opportunities provided by materialand energy integration, mainly for distillation, contributing towards a positiveenvironmental impact.

Autores: Albernas Y., Gonzalez M., Corsano G., Gonzalez E.

Instituciones: Centro de Análisis de Procesos, Facultad de Química yFarmacia, Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas, Cuba; Instituto deDesarrollo y Diseño (CONICET-UTN), Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Ingenieria e Investigacion


ISSN: 1205609

Parameter estimation of bioethanol production model by a genetic engineeredcyanobacterium

In the last years biofuels are being investigated as alternative to reduce thedependence on fossil fuels. Ethanol derived from sugar cane and corn grain is the mostcommon renewable fuel. Now, it is possible obtain ethanol as a third generation biofuelthrough microalgae and cyanobacteria, nevertheless current reported ethanol yieldsthrough this process still require improvement to make this technology economicallyattractive. In this work we present a dynamic model for the production of ethanol by the

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engineered metabolic strain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (SGE9)constructed by Vidal (2009). Vidal (2009) has constructed a novel strain of thecyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 able to produce ethanol from CO2through the inclusion of the genes pdc and adhB of the ethanologenic bacteriumZymomonas mobilis under the control of the gene PetEpromoter, which is a differentstrategy to that used by Deng & Coleman, 1999 and Dexter & Fu, 2009. Themodel we propose for ethanol production from this cyanobacterium includes massbalances for biomass, ethanol, nitrate and phosphate. Biomass equation includes agrowth limiting function for light and nutrients (NO3 and PO4). The biomass equationalso includes a term that takes into account the kinetics of growth inhibition for ethanoltoxicity. The decrease in the available light for photosynthesis associated to the increasein cell concentration is also described by the model. We formulate a parameterestimation problem with a weighted least-squares objective function subject to massbalances equations (Estrada et al., 2009). The dynamic parameter estimation problem issolved in GAMS through a simultaneous optimization approach by priortransformation it into a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem by discretizing statevariables by orthogonal collocation over finite elements. The NLP is solved with anInterior Point algorithm with Successive Quadratic Programming techniques (Biegler etal., 2002). Data set for parameter estimation were obtained in an experiment performedover 73 hours for SGE9 and wild type strains of Synechocystis grown in batch liquidcultures and include profiles for biomass (Chlorophyll a and total organic carbon),ethanol, NO3 and PO4. Numerical results provide useful insights on ethanol productionby the genetic modified cyanobacteria, reproducing a 0.025% (v/v) ethanol yield.

Autores: Estrada V., Vidal R., Florencio F.J., Guerrero M.G., Diaz M.S.

Instituciones: Department of Chemical Engineering, Planta Piloto deIngenieria Quimica (PLAPIQUI), Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, BahiaBlanca, Argentina; Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal Y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidadde Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain

Fuente de publicación: AIChE 2012 - 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting,Conference Proceedings


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ISBN: 9780816910731

Products from the delignification of sugarcane bagasse

The main drawbacks of most of the sugar mills can be summarized in thegeneration of a low added value product, with a peak of activity in the period ofharvesting. The lignocellulosic residue of the sugar extraction is usually burned as fuel.However, sugarcane can be a source of multiple products. The overall goal of this projectwas to study the technical and economic feasibility of the production of unconventionalderivatives of sugarcane bagasse, using environmentally friendly and economicallycompetitive technologies. From a point of view of the integrated utilization ofsugarcane, we have worked with a strategy that aims to study the use of biomass forchemicals and energy, through an appropriate combination of process engineering andproduct engineering. We studied different processes, including technologies that employmostly ethanol, generated by the same industry and proposing alternative uses of thesugarcane bagasse. The approach is applicable to industries in the Latin Americanregion. This chapter presents the main results obtained throughout the project. © 2012Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autores: Area M.C., Felissia F.E., Vallejos M.E.

Instituciones: Programa de Celulosa y Papel, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas,Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina;Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Sugarcane: Production, Cultivation and Uses


ISBN: 9781619422131

Valorization of carrot and yeast discards for the obtention of ethanol

Every day, carrots and beer yeast are discarded in large quantities in theprovince of Santa Fe, Argentina. At present, these agro-industrial discards are employedfor cattle feeding but, despite their high energy potential, they receive no treatmentdestined to their valorization. The present work proposes the utilization of both discards

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in a fermentative process leading to the obtention of ethanol. To this end, the ethanolyield of the fermentative process was evaluated by assaying the biocatalyst, its inoculum,substrate concentration, initial pH and ion concentration. It was observed that a 1011cell L-1 inoculum of discarded yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCUB) and theadjusted initial pH (4.5) allowed increasing ethanol yield (Yps = 0.408 g g-1) andproductivity (10.4 g L-1 h-1) without having to dilute the carrot must or add ions. Eventhough under these conditions fermentation could begin without sterilizing the carrotmust, results indicated that a thermal treatment at 121 °C for 10 min would not modifythe ethanol yield. To evaluate the useful lifetime of these discards, they were stored at 4°C, resulting in 54 days for discarded carrots, and 6 days for yeast. The results obtainedindicate that it is possible to valorize the two regional agroindustrial discards byemploying them for ethanol obtention. The remaining vinasse could then be evaluatedfor animal feeding. In addition, the ethanol yield could also be enriched by adding 0.10g g-1 of another agro-industrial discard (cane molasses) with no need to add a nitrogensource. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Aimaretti N., Ybalo C.

Instituciones: Laboratory of Applied Researches, Latin-AmericanEducational Center University, Pellegrini 1332, Rosario 2000 (Pcia.de Santa Fe),Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Biomass and Bioenergy


ISSN: 9619534

Economy-wide impacts of biofuels in Argentina

Argentina is one of the world's largest biodiesel producers and the largestexporter, using soybeans as feedstock. Using a computable general equilibrium modelthat explicitly represents the biofuel industry, this study carries out several simulationson two sets of issues: (i) international markets for biofuel and feedstock, such as anincrease in prices of soybean, soybean oil, and biodiesel, and (ii) domestic policies relatedto biofuels, such as an introduction of biofuel mandates. Both sets of issues can haveimportant consequences to the Argentinean economy. The simulations indicate that

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increases in international prices of biofuels and feedstocks would increase Argentina'sgross domestic product and social welfare. Increases in international prices of ethanoland corn also can benefit Argentina, but to a lesser extent. The domestic mandates forbiofuels, however, would cause small losses in economic output and social welfarebecause they divert part of biodiesel and feedstock from exports to lower-returndomestic consumption. An increase in the export tax on either feedstock or biodieselalso would lead to a reduction in gross domestic product and social welfare, althoughgovernment revenue would rise. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Timilsina G.R., Chisari O.O., Romero C.A.

Instituciones: World Bank, United States; Universidad Argentina de laEmpresa y CONICET, Argentina; Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Energy Policy


ISSN: 3014215

Ethanol production from corn contaminated with fumonisins: A preliminaryeconomic analysis including novel processing alternatives

In this work, technical and economical feasibility of bioethanol productionfrom corn with high concentrations of fumonisins is analyzed. Based on data obtainedfrom a limited number of experiments, the cost data of ethanol facilities and conceptualdesign methods maximum prices for corn contaminated with fumonisins are estimated.The scope of the analysis includes average ethanol concentrations in the fermentor in arange of 6 wt % and 3 wt % for noncontaminated corn and strongly contaminated corn(1400 ppm), respectively. The maximum price for contaminated corn varies from 66% to33% of the fumonisins-free feedstock cost, according to the level of contamination. Theperformance of the continuously operated process was also analyzed considering thecoupling of the fermentor with a pervaporation unit for continuous ethanol separation.Estimations were made for a volumetric productivity of alcohol of 7.8 kg/(m3 h) andmembrane flux (0.9 kg/(m2 h)) and selectivity (S = 5) corresponding to a commercialPDMS membrane for a level of 6 wt % ethanol in the stirred-tank fermentor. Resultsshow that an increase of 100% in the membrane flux with a constant value for the

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selectivity is required to make the continuous alternative attractive. © 2013 AmericanChemical Society.

Autores: Sosa M.A., Chovau S., Van Der Bruggen B., Espinosa J.

Instituciones: INGAR-CONICET, UNL, Avellaneda 3657, S3002 GJCSanta Fe, Argentina; Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of AppliedPhysical Chemistry and Environmental Technology, KU Leuven, W. de Croylaan 46, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

Fuente de publicación: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research


ISSN: 8885885

Greenhouse gasses emissions and energy balances of a non-vertically integratedsugar and ethanol supply chain: A case study in Argentina

In order to address society's concerns regarding the sustainability of sugar andethanol production and use, this paper calculates the energy and greenhouse gasses(GHG) emissions' balances of a non-vertically integrated sugarcane industry inTucumán-Argentina. The essential operations involved in the sugar/ethanol productioncycle were taken into account. Results show that this industry generated an energybalance of 3.4:1. GHG emissions during sugarcane production were 1824 and 2231 kgCO2eq. ha-1 year-1 for low and middle to high farms' technological levels, respectively.The mill process emitted 1187 kg CO2eq. ha-1 year-1. The main factors influencingthese balances were gas-oil and nitrogen fertilizers used in the agricultural stage, naturalgas consumed by the sugar mill, and sugarcane burning (only for GHG balance). Theimpact of ethanol use in reducing GHG emissions under the current production scheme(6.8 Mg ha-1 of sugar + 380.9 kg ha-1 of ethanol), in final blends of 95% gasoline and5% ethanol in vehicles, is negligible. A sensitivity analysis indicates that switching to100% bagasse used as fuel in mill's boilers, ethanol being produced directly fromsugarcane juice, and a final blend of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol, an amount of 1746kg CO2eq. ha-1 year-1 of GHG emissions could be avoided. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Acreche M.M., Valeiro A.H.

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Instituciones: Famaillá INTA Experimental Station, Ruta Provincial No 301,km 32, 4132 Tucumán, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Energy


ISSN: 3605442

Mass-cultivation of carbohydrate rich macroalgae, a possible solution forsustainable biofuel production

abstract

Autores:

Instituciones:

Fuente de publicación:

Año de publicación:

ISSN:

Life cycle assessment of fuel ethanol from sugarcane in Argentina

Purpose: The production of bioethanol in Argentina is based on the sugarcaneplantation system, with extensive use of agricultural land, scarce use of fertilizers,pesticides, and artificial irrigation, and burning of sugarcane prior to harvesting. Theobjective of this paper is to develop a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the fuel ethanolfrom sugarcane in Tucumán (Argentina), assessing the environmental impact potentialsto identify which of them cause the main impacts. Methods: Our approach innovativelycombined knowledge about the main impact pathways of bioethanol production withLCA which covers the typical emission-related impact categories at the midpoint lifecycle impact assessment. Real data from the Argentinean industry subsystems have beenused to perform the study: S1 - sugarcane production, S2 - milling process, S3 - sugarproduction, and S4 - ethanol production from molasses, honey, or sugarcane juice.Results and discussion: The results are shown in the three alternative pathways toproduce bioethanol. Different impact categories are assessed, with global warming

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potential (GWP) having the highest impact. So, the production of 1 kg of ethanol frommolasses emitted 22.5 kg CO2 (pathway 1), 19.2 kg CO2 from honey (pathway 2), and15.0 kg CO 2 from sugarcane juice (pathway 3). Several sensitivity analyses to study thevariability of the GWP according to the different cases studied have been performed(changing the agricultural yield, including economic and calorific allocation in sugarproduction, and modifying the sugar price). Conclusions: Agriculture is the subsystemwhich shows the highest impact in almost all the categories due to fossil fuelconsumption. When an economic and calorific allocation is considered to assess theenvironmental impact, the value is lower than when mass allocation is used becauseethanol is relatively cheaper than sugars and it has higher calorific value. © 2013Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Autores: Amores M.J., Mele F.D., Jimenez L., Castells F.

Instituciones: Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira iVirgili, Campus Sescelades, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos y Gestión Industrial, Universidad Nacional deTucumán, Avda. Independencia 1800, T4002BLR San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment


ISSN: 9483349

Scleroglucan compatibility with thickeners, alcohols and polyalcohols anddownstream processing implications

Thickening capacity and compatibility of scleroglucan with commercialthickeners (corn starch, gum arabic, carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, xanthan andpectin), glycols (ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol), alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and isopropanol) and polyalcohols (sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol) wasexplored. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 201126 and acommercial scleroglucan were compared. Compatibility and synergism were evaluatedtaking into account rheology, pH and sensory properties of differentthickener/scleroglucan mixtures in comparison with pure solutions. S. rolfsii ATCC201126 EPSs induced or increased pseudoplastic behaviour with a better performance

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than commercial scleroglucan, showing compatibility and synergy particularly with cornstarch, xanthan, pectin and carboxymethylcellulose. Compatibility and a slightsynergistic behaviour were also observed with 30% (w/v) ethylene glycol whereasmixtures with polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitated. Scleroglucan was compatiblewith polyalcohols, whilst lower alcohols led to scleroglucan precipitation at 20% (v/v)and above. PEG-based scleroglucan downstream processing was compared to the usualalcohol precipitation. Downstream processed EPSi (with isopropanol) and EPS-p (withPEG) were evaluated on their yield, purity, rheological properties and visual aspectpointing to alcohol downstream processing as the best methodology, whilst PEGrecovery would be unsuitable. The highest purified EPSi attained a recovery yield of

23%, similar to ethanol purification, with a high degree of purity (88%, w/w vs. EPS-∼

p, 8%, w/w) and exhibited optimal rheological properties, water solubility andappearance. With a narrower molecular weight distribution (Mw, 2.66 × 106 g/mol) anda radius of gyration (Rw, 245 nm) slightly lower than ethanol-purified EPSs,isopropanol downstream processing showed to be a proper methodology for obtaining arefined-grade scleroglucan. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Autores: Vinarta S.C., Yossen M.M., Vega J.R., Figueroa L.I.C., Farina J.I.

Instituciones: PROIMI-CONICET, Av. Belgrano y Caseros, T4001MVBTucumán, Argentina; INTEC, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral-CONICET, Güemes3450, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad Regional Santa Fe, Universidad TecnológicaNacional, Lavaisse 610, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Microbiología Superior,Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, 4000Tucumán, Argentina

Fuente de publicación: Carbohydrate Polymers


ISSN: 1448617

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Índice de contenido

Autoridades........................................................................................................................2Equipo de trabajo..............................................................................................................3Resumen............................................................................................................................4Etanol................................................................................................................................5Patentes..............................................................................................................................5

Principales códigos de clasificación internacional.........................................................6Patentes destacadas.......................................................................................................8

Publicaciones científicas..................................................................................................13Publicaciones científicas destacadas............................................................................15Publicaciones de investigadores nacionales.................................................................24

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vigilancia tecnológica

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