Preparation and properties of microfibrillated cellulose with different carboxyethyl content.

Carboxyethyl reaction was used as a pretreatment method before grinding and homogenization to prepare microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). The effect of carboxyethylation on the properties of cellulose materials and prepared MFC samples were investigated. Results showed that cellulose materials with different carboxyethyl content were obtained by controlling the chemical dosage. This reaction increased the water retention value, decreased the degree of polymerization and crystallinity, and changed the crystalline structure of cellulose. After pretreatment, the cellulose fibers were easier to be swelled and fibrillated, which greatly reduces the frequency of grinding. In addition, the diameter of the produced MFC decreased with the increase of carboxyl content. The charge density, suspension stability and transparency of MFC increased obviously due to the presence of carboxyethyl groups. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of carboxyethyl pretreatment for the preparation of MFC, which may help to enrich and promote the preparation and application of MFC.

Hydrothermal microwave valorization of eucalyptus using acidic ionic liquid as catalyst toward a green biorefinery scenario.

The application of the acidic ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate ([bmim]HSO4), as a catalyst in the hydrothermal microwave treatment (HMT) and green upgradation of eucalyptus biomass has been investigated. The process was carried out in a microwave reactor system at different temperatures (140-200°C) and evaluated for severities. The xylooligosaccharides (XOS, refers to a DP of 2-6) yield up to 5.04% (w/w) of the initial biomass and 26.72% (w/w) of xylan were achieved. Higher temperature resulted in lower molecular weight product, and enhanced the concentration of monosaccharides and byproducts. The morphology and structure of the solid residues were performed using an array of techniques, such as SEM, XRD, FTIR, BET surface area, and CP/MAS (13)C NMR, by which the increase of crystallinity, the destruction of surface structure, and the changes in functional groups and compositions were studied after the pretreatment, thus significantly enhancing the enzymatic hydrolysis.

Speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium compounds by CE-dynamic reaction cell-ICP-MS.

A dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS was used as a CE detector for the speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium. Samples containing arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine, selenite, selenate, selenocysteine, selenomethione, and Se-methylselenocysteine were subjected to electrophoretic separation before being introduced into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100) for their determination by ICP-MS. The separation has been achieved in a 60 cm length x 75 microm id fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used was 25 mmol/L CAPS, and 0.5 mmol/L SDS at pH 9.5, whereas the applied voltage was set at 25 kV. The potentially interfering (38)Ar(40)Ar(+) and (40)Ar(40)Ar(+) at the selenium masses m/z 78 and 80 were reduced in intensity by approximately three orders of magnitude by using 1.4 mL/min CH(4) as reactive cell gas in the dynamic reaction cell. Arsenic was determined as the adduct ion (75)As(12)CH(2) (+) at m/z 89. The LOD for arsenic and selenium was in the range of 0.6-1.8 ng/mL, and 0.5-1.4 ng/mL, respectively, based on peak height. This method has been applied to determine various arsenic and selenium compounds in NIST SRM 1633a Coal Fly Ash and NRCC DOLT-3 Dogfish Liver reference materials and a selenium dietary supplement. The arsenic and selenium compounds were extracted from fish liver and dietary supplement by using Protease XIV and Lipase, and from coal fly ash with HF solution. The spike recoveries were in the range 91-103% for all the species studied.

Determination of cobalamin in nutritive supplements and chlorella foods by capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (CE-ICP-MS) method for the determination of cobalamin is described. Samples of cobalt-containing compounds were subjected to electrophoretic separation before injection into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100) of ICP-MS. The Co-containing compounds studied include cyanocobalamin (CN-Cbl, vitamin B12), hydroxocobalamin (OH-Cbl), and Co(II). The species studied were well separated using a 70 cm lengthx75 microm i.d. fused silica capillary with the applied voltage set at +20 kV. A 25 mM Tris buffer (pH 9.0) containing 15 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as the electrophoretic buffer. The CE-ICP-MS detection limits were 0.3, 0.2, and 1.7 ng of Co mL(-1) for CN-Cbl, OH-Cbl, and Co(II), respectively. The concentrations of cobalamin compounds were determined in selected nutritive supplements and chlorella samples. A microwave-assisted extraction method was used for the extraction of these compounds. Over 92% of the total cobalt species was extracted using a 5% v/v HNO3 solution in a focused microwave field within a period of 10 min; spike recovery was in the range of 94-105% for various species. The major cobalt species in nutritive supplements and chlorella samples was cyanocobalamin.

Determination of iodine and bromine compounds in foodstuffs by CE-inductively coupled plasma MS.

A CE-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (CE-ICP-MS) method for iodine and bromine speciation analysis is described. Samples containing ionic iodine (I(-) and IO(3)(-)) and bromine (Br(-) and BrO(3)(-)) species are subjected to electrophoretic separation before injection into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100). The separation has been achieved in a 50 cm length x 75 microm id fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used is 10 mmol/L Tris (pH 8.0), while the applied voltage is set at -8 kV. Detection limits are 1 and 20-50 ng/mL for various I and Br compounds, respectively, based on peak height. The RSD of the peak areas for seven injections of 0.1 microg/mL I(-), IO(3)(-) and 1 microg/mL Br(-), BrO(3)(-) mixture is in the range of 3-5%. This method has been applied to determine various iodine and bromine species in NIST SRM 1573a Tomato Leaves reference material and a salt and seaweed samples obtained locally. A microwave-assisted extraction method is used for the extraction of these compounds. Over 87% of the total iodine and 83% of the total bromine are extracted using a 10% m/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution in a focused microwave field within a period of 10 min. The spike recoveries are in the range of 94-105% for all the determinations. The major species of iodine and bromine in tomato leaves, salt, and seaweed are Br(-), IO(3)(-), I(-), and Br(-), respectively.