Advanced Decortication Technology for Unretted Bast Fibres

Abstract

Advanced decortication technology is based on a simple mechanical process, in which bast fibres are decorticated by impact stress. Hemp, flax and linseed are processed with the same technology that is suitable for both unretted and retted plants. The process includes all stages from the reception of the straw bales to the separate final products, which are fibres and shives.

The industrial requirements of technical fibres regarding fibre yield, fibre length, fineness and cleanness, are met.

The possibility of processing unretted bast fibres without any negative influence on the fibre qualities is advantageous. Harvesting of unretted fibre plants saves expenditure on the field and reduces the weather risk.     

Research on New Technology of Fiber Flax Harvesting

Modifications of combine harvester were introduced. Flax harvesting with the modified combine harvester following the dessication with Roundup did not affect the yield and weight of flax seeds when compared to the conventional pulling harvesting. A new method lead to a reduction in the yield of homomorphic fiber but losses depend on the cutting height and with the normal plant heigh (over 700 mm) and stubble height below 80 mm could be reduced to less than 10%. Flax harvesting by mowing can reduce the total labor costs by 30% and the labor costs of harvesting by more than 42%. Mowing of fiber flax fiber can significantly reduce and simplify the entire production technology.     

Partition of Photosynthates and Energy Production in Different Flax Cultivars

Abstract

Two field trials were carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station of the National Research Centre at Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate during 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 seasons to evaluate seven fibre flax, i.e., Wiko, Nike, Alba, Viking, Texa and Belinka genotypes as well as two dual purpose flax, i.e., Giza 5 and Giza 6 in relation to energy production. The results showed that flax cultivars differed significantly in photosynthate partitions. Significant differences were obtained in carbohydrates, protein and oil percentage of vegetative organs, seeds and straw, except protein percentage of straw which responded insignificantly. Glucose required for synthesis of chemical constituents, carbon equivalent in vegetative organs, straw and seeds differed significantly in all investigated flax cultivars under investigation. Energy yield plant^?1 and hectare ^_1 for straw and seeds yield also differed significantly. All investigated flax cultivars showed significant differences in yield as well as its components.

Broad sense heritability and coefficient of variation were estimated for all investigated flax cultivars. Heritability ranged between 60.93% for number of capsules plant ^_1 and 90.74% for seed index.     

胡麻籽功能成分的研究与应用进展

胡麻是一种重要的油料作物。胡麻籽中含有诸多的营养保健功能成分。本文介绍了胡麻胶、胡麻油、木酚素、胡麻蛋白的营养保健功能价值及研究和应用进展。认为研究开发利用胡麻籽有着广阔的前景和重要的意义。     

Structure–Property Relationships in Natural Cellulosic Fibres. Part I: Characterisation

This is the first of a series of research papers featuring structure-property relationships in UK-grown natural cellulosic fibres, a renewable resource which may be extracted from the stems of plant fibres. They are composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, together with other constituents, and, unlike seed hairs, have structures which make the plant stems strong and stiff. In the last few decades, fibres from agricultural crops have been replaced by synthetic fibres. In particular, this has resulted in under-utilisation of flax and hemp fibres, both of which may be grown in the UK. Although many studies have been carried out on bast fibres, and considerable information can be found in the literature, much of the information is of academic interest only, and the instances of verification through commercial use are rare. The driving force behind the current work was the EC strategy to improve self sufficiency in fibres, in order to reduce imports, and to find a substitute for jute and coir in industrial applications. The present study was mainly focused on flax fibres of different origins, particularly the straw waste product from linseed oil production. Until recently, this straw was burnt as a disposal route. The aim of the present investigation was to understand the effect of the chemical composition of different flax fibres on various physical properties, and, to compare them with those of other natural cellulosic fibres. It was concluded that seed flax, i.e. the fibre from straw left after harvesting linseed, has good potential for use in technical textiles.     

Enrichment of carotenoids in flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) by metabolic engineering with introduction of bacterial phytoene synthase gene crtB

Linseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an industrially important oil crop, which includes large amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3) and lignan in its seed oil. We report here the metabolic engineering of flax plants to increase carotenoid amount in seeds. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of flax was performed to express the phytoene synthase gene (crtB) derived from the soil bacterium Pantoea ananatis (formerly called Erwinia uredovora 20D3) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S constitutive promoter or the Arabidopsis thaliana fatty acid elongase 1 gene (FAE1) seed-specific promoter. As a result, eight transgenic flax plants were generated. They formed orange seeds (embryos), in which phytoene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene were newly accumulated in addition to increased amounts of lutein, while untransformed flax plants formed light-yellow seeds, in which only lutein was detected. Interestingly, despite the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, the expression of crtB was not observed in the leaves but in the seeds in the transgenic flax plants. Total carotenoid amounts in these seeds were 65.4-156.3 microg/g fresh weight, which corresponded to 7.8- to 18.6-fold increase, compared with those of untransformed controls. These results suggest that the flux of phytoene synthesis from geranylgeranyl diphosphate was first promoted by the expressed crtB gene product (CrtB), and then phytoene was consecutively decomposed to the downstream metabolites alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lutein, as catalyzed by endogenous carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes in seeds. The transgenic flaxseeds enriched with the carotenoids could be valuable as nutritional sources for human health.     

Progress in Enzyme-Retting of Flax

Abstract

New methods for retting flax are sought to overcome problems in the current method of dew-retting of flax. Published data are reviewed and new data presented on the development and testing of a method to ret flax using pectinase-rich enzyme mixtures plus chelators based on cost and fiber yield and properties. In spray enzyme retting (SER), flax stems are crimped to physically disrupt the plant's protective barrier and then sprayed until soaked with, or briefly immersed in, an enzyme/chelator formulation. Flax is then incubated at temperatures optimal for enzyme activity, washed, and dried. Pilot scale tests, conducted with 10 kg samples of flax retted with a series of formulations, showed that this method effectively retted flax stems from a variety of sources, including fiber flax, mature fiber flax, and linseed straw. Fiber yield, strength, and fineness were significantly influenced by variations in enzyme-chelator amounts. Cellulases inpectinase mixtures appeared to preferentially attack dislocations in fibers and fiber bundles resulting in loss of fiber strength. Polygalacturonases alone effectively separated fiber from non-fiber components. The SER method proved to be an effective framework for further tests on enzyme-chelator formulations that now must be integrated with physical processing to optimize the extraction of flax fibers based on cost and fiber yield and properties.     

The Impact of Environmental Factors and Applied Agronomy on Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Flax Fiber

According to the Liebieg’s law—in many regions of Europe, the main limiting factor that affects very often flax yield are weather conditions (precipitation). Resistance to drought stress of 51 flax genotypes was evaluated in pot trials (2002–2012). Controlled drought stress (62.5% optimal soil humidity) caused a decrease in fiber yield by 39.7–49.3% and a substantial drop in quality. Among the tested cultivars, the ones that gave relatively promising yields in conditions of water deficit were: Sara [PL], Ilona [NL], Modran [PL], Escalina [NL], Luna [PL], Aliz?e [FR], Artemida [PL], Selena [PL], Modran [PL], Nike [PL], and Venica [CZ]. Relatively good yields of fiber for these varieties were the result of the good yields of straw.

In field trials carried out on two types of soil (pseudosolic and black soil), the highest fiber yield with good quality was obtained using: (1) sowing density of 2 800 seeds m^?2, (2) row sowing, (3) harvesting time at green-yellow maturity stage (BBCH 83). Higher plant densities using row sowing resulted in higher fiber content (% in straw) together with better quality (tex). Earlier harvest times (BBCH 75, BBCH 79) allowed for obtaining very thin fiber. The content of pectin and lignin in the fiber increased with harvesting delay.     

基于果胶复合酶的亚麻粗纱煮练工艺优化

针对传统化学法亚麻粗纱煮练工艺对纤维损伤大、环境污染严重等问题,为提高亚麻粗纱的品质,以黑曲霉102-ZL为菌种,以麸皮和稻草粉为主要原料,采用固体发酵方法生产果胶复合酶,浸提后将粗酶提取液用于亚麻粗纱煮练.以煮练后亚麻粗纱的残胶率和强力为指标,通过单因子和正交试验对亚麻粗纱果胶复合酶煮练的酶液浓度、处理温度、处理时间...     

Crowding as an Agronomic Factor Determining the Development of Plants and the Productivity of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

ABSTRACT

Nine sowing densities of linseed were compared in a two-year experiment. Self-regulation of the density of a linseed stand resulted in a differentiated branching of the plants. The number of capsules on a linseed shoot, as well as seeds in the capsule, and the number of seeds from the shoot were highly varied from year to year, and there is even a stronger differentiation in the weight of 1000 seeds. Linear relationships were noted between the mass of seeds from the linseed plant and the number of capsules. The yield of linseed was affected by both factors. An increasing sowing rate reduced the seed yield from the shoot and the plant. At lower seeding rates, the lateral shoots contributed in the seeds yield of the plant to a higher degree compared to the main ones.     

The use of FT‐IR microspectroscopic mapping to study the effects of enzymatic retting of flax (Linum usitatissimum L) stems

Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) microspectroscopic mapping was investigated as a tool to study the effects of enzymatic retting of flax stems. The FT‐IR technique permitted the elucidation of the relative loss or changes in the distribution of key chemical components after treatment with enzymes or enzyme/chelator mixtures in association with visible changes in structure. Cross‐sections of Ariane flax stems were treated with SP 249 (a pectinase‐rich enzyme mixture from Novo Nordisk) at 0.5, 0.7 or 1.0 ml l^?1 concentration in pH 5 acetate buffer for 6 h at 40 °C. Flax stems treated with 0.5 or 0.7 ml l^?1 SP 249 and 50 mM oxalic acid as a chelator were also investigated by the technique. The results indicated that treatment with 0.5 ml l^?1 SP 249 alone was ineffective in releasing the fibre bundles from the surrounding tissue, but the release was increased by the addition of 50 mM oxalic acid as a likely chelator for the cations of pectate salts. However, the IR spectra of the bundles indicated that an insoluble oxalate salt remained on the tissue after this treatment. Increasing the concentration of SP 249 to 0.7 ml l^?1 plus 50 mM oxalic acid was effective in releasing the fibre bundles and generating some ultimate fibres with no detectable oxalate expectate salt residues. Increasing the SP 249 concentration to 1.0 ml l^?1 without using oxalic acid was effective in separating the fibre bundles into ultimate (individual) fibres, leaving no pectate salt residue and only a trace of pectic esters and/or acids. The use of infrared mapping, or so‐called chemical imaging, is shown to have advantages over visible imaging alone in that it can detect and locate the chemical species present after each treatment in relation to the anatomical features of the flax stem. This analytical tool shows promise as a technique by which to study the effects of enzymatic treatment of natural fibre materials. Published in 2002 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Optimising flax production in the South Atlantic region of the USA

Worldwide the USA is the largest user of flax fibre, though very little is actually grown or produced in the USA. ‘Ariane’ flax was grown in 1990–1991, 1991–1992 and 1998–1999 in South Carolina, USA and evaluated for production characteristics. Plots (15 m long and 2 m wide) in the fall of 1990 and 1991 generated dry matter plant yields ranging from 4510 (early harvest at a seeding rate of 67 kg ha^?1) to 7340 (late harvest at a seeding rate of 134 kg ha^?1) kg ha^?1. Based on these results, seed was sown on a private farm using a drill in 19 cm rows at a seeding rate of 101 kg ha^?1 in 1998–1999. Early harvest, selected for optimal fibre quality, produced a dry matter plant yield that averaged 4076 kg ha^?1. Late harvest, selected to optimise seed plus fibre, produced a dry matter plant yield that averaged 5076 kg ha^?1. Stubble remaining in the field after mowing at about 6.0–7.6 cm above the soil surface resulted in a fibre loss of about 3% of total plant dry matter or 10% of potential total fibre yield. Dry matter and fibre yields suggested that flax could be produced in the southeastern USA using traditional farming methods for the area. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Composites from Bast Fibres-Prospects and Potential in the Changing Market Environment

Abstract

Composite materials reinforced with natural fibres, such as flax, hemp, kenaf and jute, are gaining increasing importance in automotive, aerospace, packaging and other industrial applications due to their lighter weight, competitive specific strength and stiffness, improved energy recovery, carbon dioxide sequestration, ease and flexibility of manufacturing and environmental friendliness besides the benefit of the renewable resources of bast fibres. The market scenario for composite applications is changing due to the introduction of newer biodegradable polymers, such as PLA synthesized from corn, development of composite making techniques and new stringent environmental laws requiring improved recyclability or biodegradability for industrial applications where stress bearing capacities and micro-mechanical failures dictate serviceability. Bast fibre reinforced composites, made from biodegradable polymers, will have to compete with conventional composites in terms of their mechanical behaviour. Biocomposites, in which natural fibres, such as kenaf, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, corn stalk, bagasse or even grass are embedded in a biodegradable matrix, made as bioplastics from soybean, corn and sugar, have openedup new possibilities for applications in automotive and building products. Obviously, new approaches to research and development will be required to improve their mechanical properties, such as tensile, bending and impact resistance to match their performance and commercial competitiveness against petroleum based products. The research community has to look at the various possibilities of combining natural fibres, such as sisal, flax, hemp and jute with polymer matrices from non-renewable and renewable resources to develop cost effective biocomposites. This paper will review the newer products and techniques that can improve the properties of bast fibre based composites as well as potential structural and non-structural applications which can increase their market share.     

Survey of Czech Breeding Methods,Development of the New Czech Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)Variety Venica-The Way of Breeding and Agronomical Properties of Flax and Linseed Cultivars Registered in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The paper presents the main goals, trends, and methods of flax and linseed breeding carried out in the Czech Republic. The list of registered flax and linseed varieties accompanied by their agronomical characteristics is presented. The breeding method of the last registered flax variety Venica, as well as its agronomical properties, are described.     

Dynamic Simulation of the Harvest Operations of Flax Straw for Short Fibre Production—Part 1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyse the performance and costs for harvest and handling of flax straw for short fibre production by means of a dynamic simulation model. The model considered both spatial and time restrictions in the harvest of flax. For example, geographical data were used for estimations of transport distances, and historical weather data for estimations of soil and flax straw moisture contents in order to calculate the time available for the field operations. Deterministic (e.g., working schedules) as well as stochastic (e.g., stoppages) system properties were also included. By means of the model, various machinery systems can be simulated and evaluated.     

亚麻纤维碱改性的染色性能研究

在分析亚麻纤维性质特点的基础上，讨论了亚麻纤维的化学改性和染色问题。亚麻纤维经碱改性后，纤维的聚合度、结晶度和取向度都有不同程度的下降，纤维上染率也有了明显提高。此外，碱改性还能使麻纤维产生物理化学变化和结构的变异，这使麻纤维的回弹性和柔软度得到改善，抗皱性能提高，大大改变了其制品的服用性能。     

亚麻纤维的抑菌性研究

采用烧瓶振荡法分别研究了不同加工阶段的亚麻纤维对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和酵母菌的抑菌特性。结果表明:亚麻纤维对酵母菌的抑菌率最高,对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌次之,对枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌率最低。随亚麻纤维加工处理的深入,亚麻原麻、打成麻和亚麻织物的抑菌率依次降低,由此推测出亚麻纤维的抑菌成分存在于胶质中。     

亚麻针织内衣的开发研制

利用亚麻纤维吸湿透气、抗酶抑菌、抗静电、抗紫外线、卫生保健等优良特性开发研制具有高附加值的亚麻针织内衣。通过对纱线规格与机型的选择、织物密度、织物结构与服用性能的关系、织物结构设计等进行了亚麻针织内衣工艺技术的探讨，并对流行色在亚麻针织内衣中的应用及针织内衣选型设计进行了研究。     

胡麻粗纱染色生产技术的探讨

根据胡麻纤维的特性，探讨了胡麻粗纱染色前处理的工艺要求，重点讨论了胡麻粗纱和染色工艺的选择及染色时的注意事项。     

亚麻纺纱配麻计算机优化系统

在亚麻纺纱过程中，为了稳定麻纱质量，要对冬种亚麻纤维按性能指标进行综合分类排队，然后按最优投料方案组织生产，文章介绍的计算机优化配麻系统，能对所有的亚麻纺纱投料方案的效果进行模拟分析，并在此基础上产生最佳配麻方案。