A novel natural source Vicia faba L. membranes as colourant: development and optimisation of the extraction process using response surface methodology (RSM).

In this research paper, an eco-friendly extraction process of dyes from Vicia faba L. membranes was developed. In this regard, the influence of independent process factors like the weight of material, the extraction time, the temperature and the sodium hydroxide concentration on the natural dye extraction from Vicia faba membranes was investigated. The optimisation of the extraction conditions and the effect evaluation of the different operating parameters were carried out using a Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology. The optimum conditions were found to be 66 °C, 90 min, 5 g and 0.1628 mol·L-1 for extraction temperature, time, mass of the material and sodium hydroxide concentration, respectively. The efficiency of this extraction process under these optimum conditions was evaluated by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), the total flavonoid content and the relative colour yield (K/S). In these operating conditions, good fastness ratios were observed for the dyed fabrics.

Synthesis and characterization of cellulose carbonate using greenchemistry: Surface modification of Avicel.

The development of new derivatives based on renewable natural resources using green chemistry is a concept gaining recognition in several industries. This work focused on the preparation and characterization of cellulose carbonate using dimethyl carbonate as the green reagent in ethanoic KOH solution. The effect of several reaction parameters were evaluated, i.e., temperature (25°C, 50°C, 90°C, 120°C, 150°C, and 180°C), time (6, 24, 48, and 72h), KOH concentration (15% and 30%), and the use of a catalyst (DBU). The degree of substitution (DS) of the resulting materials was evaluated by 13C CP/MAS NMR. The spectra of the prepared cellulose carbonate exhibited the main peaks associated with cellulose macromolecules (C1-C6) and those corresponding to carbonate functions at approximately 162ppm. Moreover, XPS was performed and confirmed the reaction modifications. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that 13C NMR and XPS spectra showed a significant difference in DS value, due to the difference between both techniques. However, our results from NMR and XPS experiments confirm that the major modifications during all the reactions occurred mainly at the surface. This green process opens the way for the easy production of a new class of cellulose derivatives.

Green dyeing process of modified cotton fibres using natural dyes extracted from Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. leaves.

This research work involves an eco-friendly dyeing process of modified cotton with the aqueous extract of Tamarix aphylla leaves. During this process, the dyeing step was carried out on modified cotton by several cationising agents in order to improve its dyeability. The influence of the main dyeing conditions (dye bath pH, dyeing time, dyeing temperature, salt addition) on the performances of this dyeing process were studied. The dyeing performances of this process were appreciated by measuring the colour yield (K/S) and the fastness properties of the dyed samples. The effect of mordant type with different mordanting methods on dyeing quality was also studied. The results showed that mordanting gave deeper shades and enhanced fastness properties. In addition, environmental indicators (BOD5, COD and COD/BOD5) were used to describe potential improvements in the biodegradability of the dyebath wastewater. Further, HPLC was used to identify the major phenolic compounds in the extracted dye.

Optimisation of the recovery of carotenoids from tomato processing wastes: application on textile dyeing and assessment of its antioxidant activity.

The present study has been focused on the extraction of natural pigments from tomato industry waste. At first, different solvents and solvents mixture were compared to determine which one is the best for extracting carotenoids compounds from tomato by-products. A mixture of hexane and acetone gave the highest carotenoids extraction yield among the others examined. The extraction conditions were optimised using a five-level-five-factor central composite design. Under optimal conditions, solvent solid ratio 90, hexane percentage in the solvent mixture 60, extraction duration 50, number of extractions 4 and extraction temperature 35 °C, the yield of carotenoids was 80.7 µg/g. The coloured extract of tomato by-products was applied on textile fabrics to investigate the dyeing characteristics and antioxidant activities. The results indicate that extract can be applied on textile fabrics (wool, silk and polyamide) to produce coloured clothing with acceptable antioxidant properties.

Spectrophotometric investigation of the interactions between cationic (C.I. Basic Blue 9) and anionic (C.I. Acid Blue 25) dyes in adsorption onto extracted cellulose from Posidonia oceanic in single and binary system.

Extracted cellulose from Posidonia oceanica was used as an adsorbent for removal of a cationic (Basic blue 9, BB) and anionic textile dye (Acid blue 25, AB) from aqueous solution in single dye system. Characterization of the extracted cellulose and extracted cellulose-dye systems were performed using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential and Boehm acid-base titration method. Adsorption tests showed that the extracted cellulose presented higher adsorption of BB than AB in single dye system, revealing that electrostatic interactions are responsible, in the first instance, for the dye-adsorbent interaction. In single dye systems, the extracted cellulose presented the maximum adsorption capacities of BB and AB at 0.955 mmol.g(-1) and 0.370 mmol.g(-1), respectively. Adsorption experiments of AB dye on extracted cellulose saturated by BB dye exhibited the release of the latter dye from the sorbent which lead to dye-dye interaction in aqueous solution due to electrostatic attraction between both species. Interaction of BB and AB dyes were investigated using spectrophotometric analysis and results demonstrated the formation of a molecular complex detected at wavelengths 510 and 705 nm when anionic (AB) and cationic (BB) dye were taken in equimolar proportions. The adsorption isotherm of AB, taking into account the dye-dye interaction was investigated and showed that BB dye was released proportionately by AB equilibrium concentration. It was also observed that AB adsorption is widely enhanced when the formation of the molecular complex is disadvantaged.

Effect of the oxidation treatment on the production of cellulose nanofiber suspensions from Posidonia oceanica: The rheological aspect.

Different grades of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were prepared from Posidonia oceanica balls and leaves (POB and POL). Pretreatment using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation was performed to facilitate the fibrillation during ultrafine friction grinding process. The ensuing CNF batches were compared in terms of morphology and degree of fibrillation. The rheological properties of the produced CNF suspensions were also analyzed for varying doses of sodium hypochlorite used during the TEMPO- mediated oxidation procedure. The stronger fibrous network structures were formed when increasing the oxidant concentration, which was confirmed by the increase of the storage moduli value. P. oceanica balls were found to undergo stronger fibrillation and, consequently, to form stronger networks, compared to P. oceanica leaves, when using equivalent concentration of the oxidizing agent.

Mechanical and thermal properties of Posidonia oceanica cellulose nanocrystal reinforced polymer.

In the present study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were isolated from Posidonia oceanica balls and leaves. CNC was prepared from this marine biomass by sulfuric acid hydrolysis (H2SO4) treatment. The raw fibers were firstly isolated by a delignification-bleaching process then the acid hydrolysis treatment was performed at 55°C during 40min under mechanical stirring. The ensuing CNCs were characterized by their morphological and thermal properties using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Nanocomposite materials using the CNC extracted from marine biomass were obtained by casting and evaporating a mixture of this suspension with poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate). The effect of CNC loading on mechanical and thermal properties was studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed a strong reinforcing effect of CNC that depends on their origin (balls or leaves). The difference was attributed not only to differences in the aspect ratio of CNC but also to the stiffness of the percolating network of nanoparticles.

Experimental evaluation of eco-friendly flocculants prepared from date palm rachis.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa) is an anionic water soluble polyelectrolyte widely used in many industrial sectors including food, textiles, papers, adhesives, paints, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and mineral processing. CMCNa was produced by chemical modification of cellulose, and represents many advantages: natural, renewable, non-toxic and biodegradable. In this study, different kinds of CMCNa, prepared from an agricultural waste date palm rachis, were tested as eco-friendly flocculants for drinking water treatment and their performances as flocculants in turbidity removal enhancement were assessed. The prepared materials were characterized by the degree of substitution (DS) and polymerisation (DP). The study of the effect of some experimental parameters on the coagulation-flocculation performance, using the prepared materials combined with aluminium sulphate (as coagulant), showed that the best conditions for turbidity treatment were given for pH 8, coagulant dose 20 mg/L, flocculant concentration of 100 mg/L and stirring velocity (during the flocculation step) of 30 r/min. Under the optimum conditions, the turbidity removal using CMCNa, prepared from raw material, was about 95%. A comparison study between the flocculation performance of a commercial anionic flocculant (A100PWG: polyacrylamide) and that of the prepared CMCNa showed that the performance of the waste-based flocculant with a DS of 1.17 and a DP of 480 was 10% better than that achieved by the commercial one.