ABSTRACT
Flavonoids are widely found in medicinal plants, which have important medical properties. Flavonoids were proved to have many pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidation, antitumor, antimutation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-aging. The extraction of flavonoids is the crucial link in their clinical applications. In recent years, many emerging Chinese medicine extraction methods have also been widely used in the extraction of flavonoids. This paper reviews the current application of new methods for flavonoid extraction, in order to provide references for the extraction, development and utilization of flavonoids. These new extraction methods include supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), microwave assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), pulsed electric field (PEF) assisted extraction, enzyme assisted extraction (EAE), green solvent extraction, steam explosion assisted extraction, dynamic high pressure microfluidization (DHPM) assisted extraction, etc.
ABSTRACT
Development of sustainable technology for bioenergy/biofuel generation using lignocellulosic biomass is of prime importance in the present day research. An economically viable technology for production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass will certainly provide opportunity to the non-oil producing countries to refrain from deprivation of fuel and explore the concept of bio-refineries for complete utilization of the feedstock. Biomass feedstock is abundant in the form of network of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin and hence the name lignocellulose. The structure and composition of lignocellulosic biomass is a major hindrance in its complete digestibility into fermentable monomer sugars. Reports are in the literature indicating that pre-treatment of biomass from wood and grasses can increase the yield of sugars upto 90%. Here, we have reviewed various technologies and methods for the pre-treatment of biomass with emphasis on their advantages and disadvantages with respect to the production of biofuel. Also, capital expense (CAPEX) and operational expense (OPEX) is considered to assess the economic viability of the technology.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to optimize the physico-enzymatic pretreatment of P.roxburghii fallen foliage (needles) to produce reducing sugars through response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite face centered design (CCD). Under this, five parameters, i.e., concentration of laccase, cellulose and xylanase, steam explosion pressure and incubation period, at three levels with twenty six runs were taken into account. Cellulase, xylanase and laccase enzymes with activity 4.563, 38.32 and 0.05 IU/mL, respectively, were produced from locally isolated microbial strains. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for the validation of the predicted model at 95% of confidence level. This model predicted 334 mg/g release of reducing sugars on treating P.roxburghii fallen foliage with 1.18 mL of cellulose, 0.31 mL of xylanase and 0.01 mL of laccase, 14.39 psi steam explosion pressure and 24 h of incubation time. The experimental results obtained were in good agreement to predicted values, making it a reliable optimized model for five factors in combination to predict reducing sugar yield for ethanol production for bio-fuel industry.
ABSTRACT
The preparation method of a soluble dietary fiber from oak wood (Quercus mongolica) and the effect of the soluble dietary fiber on physiological function in rat fed high cholesterol diets was investigated. The best condition for steam explosion method was 25 kgf/cm3 pressure for 6 min. The exploded samples were delignified by the filtration treatment with 1% NaOH for several times, which is the best condition. The enzymatic hydrolysis of Cellusoft cellulase was more effective than Onozuka R-10 cellulase. The manufactured soluble dietary fiber was assayed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and it was dissolved in water. Average molecular weight distribution of manufactured soluble dietary fiber was about 348-1,200 and it was assumed the oligomer form fraction. In order to compare the manufactured soluble dietary fiber with commercial soluble dietary fiber (pectin) on the physiological function, Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100+/-10 g were randomly assigned to one normal diet and five high cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol. The high cholesterol diet groups were classified to fiber free diet (FF group), 5% pectin (5P group), 10% pectin (l0P group), 5% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (5M group) and 10% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (10M group). Body weight gains in all soluble dietary fiber groups were lower than FF group. Food intakes were increased in all soluble dietary fiber groups than that of FF group. Food efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly decreased in all soluble dietary fiber groups than that of the FF group, and it was especially was highest in 10% supplemented soluble dietary fiber group. The weight of liver of the soluble dietary fiber supplemented groups were lower than those of the FF group, but weights of cecum and small intestine of all supplemented soluble dietary fiber groups were significantly increased, compared with that of FF group. The weights and water contents in feces were significantly increased by the soluble dietary fiber. The activity of the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in soluble dietary fiber groups were significantly decreased than those of FF group. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity in all soluble dietary fiber supplemented groups were higher than that of FF group. The physiological effects of the manufactured soluble dietary fiber are the same as the commercial soluble dietary fiber (pectin). The preparation method of the soluble dietary fiber from the oak chips suited to its purpose.