Babassu is considered the largest native oil resource worldwide and occurs naturally in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of babassu nut residues (epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp) for bioenergy use, especially for direct combustion and charcoal production. The material was collected in the rural area of the municipality of Sítio Novo do Tocantins, in the state of To...

Amygdalin contents of the seeds, endocarps, and mesocarps from three peach cultivars (i.e., Stone Peach, Hikawa Hakuho, and Bakhyang) were measured at three stages of fruit development (stone-hardening, fruit enlargement, and ripening). The peach samples were dried and defatted with a Soxhlet apparatus, reflux extracted with methanol, and analyzed using reverse phase high-performance liquid chr...

Paliurus favonii Unger is recognized and described based on fruits from the Oligocene Ningming flora of Guangxi, South China. Characteristics of the present specimens include circular winged fruits that are 10.0-11.5 mm in diameter with a central endocarp at 3.0 to 4.0 mm in diameter. The specimens fall into the morphological range of the fossil species P. favonii, which has been observed in ot...

For at least the past decade, an unusual decline of black walnut (Juglans nigra) has been observed in several western states. Initial symptoms involve a yellowing and thinning of the upper crown, which progresses to include death of progressively larger branches (Figure 1). During the final stages large areas of foliage may rapidly wilt. Trees often are killed within three years after initial s...

The correlation between the peroxidase activity, chlorophyll and soluble protein content as well as the changes in vascular bundle structure in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) needles affected by cement dust were studied. In spite of the absence of any yellowing symptoms, a significantly lower chlorophyll con­ tent was measured in spruce needles affected by cement dust. Observed sieve cel...

Broccoli which is an important source of vitamins and anticarcinogenic property substances [23], presents a short shelf-life, especially at room temperature, due to immaturity of the texture in the moment of the harvest as well as to physiological factors regulated by genetic mechanisms [30]. Several changes are observed along its senescence and some are easily observed as the yellowing generat...

Orange mesocarp was obtained after removal of the epicarp and the endocarp from oranges. It was dried, pulverized and digested with 2% w/v sodium hydroxide at 80 C for 3 h. Alphaand micro-crystalline celluloses were extracted from the pulp using 17.5% w/v and 2.5 N hydrochloric acid, respectively. The physicochemical and powder properties of the extracted material were evaluated. Results obtain...

Rudrakasha is the dried bead obtained from the ripe fruit of Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. (Family: Elaeocarpaceae). Microscopic studies revealed the presence of a hard endocarp with lignified isodiametric sclereids, seeds with membranous seed coat, which enclosed a dense cellular endosperm comprising of calcium oxalate druses. Physicochemical parameters showed that total ash was 1.36 times and 1....