Frictional Properties of Soaps with the Addition of Ground Hazelnut Shells.

The search for new technologies and related new biological materials for use in the cosmetics industry requires many studies and analyses of not only chemical but also physical properties. This study attempts to assess the properties of soap produced with the addition of crushed hazelnut shells. This additive is intended to improve the friction properties of the soap, which in turn enhances the quality of removing impurities from the skin. Friction tests for wet and dry skin were performed on an appropriately designed measuring station using the Texture Analyser XT plus device. The obtained results indicate an increase in dynamic friction value compared to the control sample. This work proposes an unconventional use of ground hazelnut shells as one of the additives in soap production to improve its quality.

Enhancing Liquefaction Efficiency: Exploring the Impact of Pre-Hydrolysis on Hazelnut Shell (Corylus avellana L.).

Hazelnut shells (HS), scientifically known as Corylus avellana L. shells, are waste produced by companies that process nuts. The main objective of this study was to find an efficient way to maximize the chemical potential of HS by solubilizing the hemicelluloses, which could then be used to recover sugars and, at the same time, increase the lignin content of this material to produce adhesives or high-strength foams. In order to optimize the pre-hydrolysis process, two different temperatures (160 and 170 °C) and times varying from 15 to 180 min were tested. All the remaining solid materials were then liquefied using polyalcohols with acid catalysis. The chemical composition of hazelnut shells was determined before and after the pre-hydrolysis. All of the process was monitored using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) by determining the spectra of solids and liquids after the pre-hydrolysis and liquefaction steps. The highest solubilization of hazelnut shells was found for 170 °C and 180 min, resulting in a 25.8% solubilization. Chemical analysis after the hydrolysis process showed a gradual increase in the solubilization of hemicelluloses as both the temperature and time of the reactor were increased. Simultaneously, the percentages of α-cellulose and lignin in the material also increased with rises in temperature and duration. FTIR-ATR allowed for the detection of significant spectral changes in the hazelnut shells from their initial state to the solid residue and further into the liquefied phase. This confirmed that pre-hydrolysis was effective in enhancing the chemical composition of the material, making it more suitable for the production of adhesives, polyurethane foams, or in the production of bioplastics and composite materials, combined with other biopolymers or synthetic polymers to enhance the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the resulting materials.