Among the parameters used in the biomass carbonization process, the heating rate is one of the most important. The objective of the present work was to assess the influence of different heating rates on the chemical composition of wood vinegar (WV) from two wood species. Dried disks of Eucalyptus grandis and Mimosa tenuiflora wood were used as raw material. Carbonization runs were carried out in a laboratory muffle furnace at three heating rates (0.7, 1.0 and 1.4 °C/min), with 10 runs at each heating rate, reaching 450 °C. Yields of charcoal, pyrolysis liquids and gases were determined for all carbonization conditions. Crude pyrolysis liquid from each wood species and each heating rate was bi-distilled, yielding purified WV samples. These samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to obtain qualitative and semi-quantitative data. Results showed that lower heating rates produce higher yields of charcoal, while higher heating rates lead to higher yields of pyrolysis liquids and gases. Totals of 57 and 42 chemical compounds were identified in the WV of Eucalyptus and Mimosa, respectively, divided into the following groups: alcohols, ketones, furans and pyrans, and phenolic compounds. In general, higher heating rates led to greater contents of furans and pyrans and lower concentrations of phenolic compounds.
The study aimed to assess the effect of progressive neutralization on the antimicrobial properties against bacteria and yeasts of wood vinegar obtained from the pyrolysis of Eucalyptus urograndis (clone I144) wood. Wood samples were carbonized at a heating rate of 0.9 °C min-1 until a final temperature of 450 °C, totalizing 8 hours of carbonization. The raw pyrolysis liquids were left to settle, and the aqueous fraction was separated. Then, the aqueous fraction (raw wood vinegar - WV) was purified to yield the WV. WV samples were collected and neutralized from pH 2.5 until 7.5 (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5, by adding NaOH solution. Through the broth microdilution method, the antimicrobial effect of the neutralized samples at each pH was assessed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus agalactiae (CEPA CLINICA), and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (and fungicidal) concentrations were determined through in vitro technics. Results were subjected to logarithmic regression analysis, and statistical models were fitted for each microorganism in the assessed pH range; as pH increased, a progressive decrease in the CIM increased, demanding higher concentrations of WV to inhibit microbial growth. The more resistant strains were S. aureus and S. agalactiae, which required an increase in WV concentration from a minimum of 6.25% at pH 2.5 to reaching 50% at pH 6.0. When at pH 7.0, both strains were not inhibited even at 50% (the highest concentration evaluated in the study). In contrast, C. albicans proved to be the most sensitive strain, starting from 3.12% EP at pH 2.5 and requiring only 25% for inhibition at pH 7.0. The behavior of P. aeruginosa and S. enteritidis followed the pattern of C. albicans, differing only at pH 7.0, where they required 50% of EP. As observed, even at neutral and slightly alkaline pH, the inhibitory activity of EP on microbial growth was maintained to some extent. Nevertheless, even when neutral and slightly alkaline pH values are reached, the inhibitory activity remains at a certain level. Higher pH values of the WV were associated with lower antimicrobial activity. However, its activity remained even at neutral and slightly alkaline pH values.
Aims: A paper by Araújo et al. (2018) claims that a variety of compounds present in pyroligneous acid (guaiacol, phenols and furfural) are responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity. We show, on the other hand, that the low pH due to acetic acid present in pyroligneous acid is the real cause of the activity.
The study aimed to assess the effect of progressive neutralization on the antimicrobial properties against bacteria and yeasts of wood vinegar obtained from the pyrolysis of Eucalyptus urograndis wood. Wood samples were carbonized at a heating rate of 0.7°C min1 until a final temperature of 450°C. The raw pyrolysis liquids were left to settle and the aqueous fraction was separated. Then, the aqueous fraction (raw wood vinegar – WV) was purified to yield the WV. WV samples were collected and neutralized in steps with a solution of 2-mol L− 1 NaOH from pH 2.5 until 7.5 (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5. Through the broth microdilution method, the antimicrobial effect of the neutralized samples at each pH was assessed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus agalactiae (CEPA CLINICA), and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (and fungicidal) concentrations were determined. Results were submitted to regression analysis, and statistical models were fitted. A progressive decrease in the antimicrobial activity was determined as pH increased. Nevertheless, even when neutral and slightly alkaline pH values are reached, the inhibitory activity remained at a certain level. Higher pH values of the WV were associated with lower antimicrobial activity. However, its activity remained even at neutral and slightly alkaline pH values. The results demonstrated the effect of pH on the antimicrobial effect of WV, a product with applications in veterinary medicine and zootechnics.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.