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Crambe abyssinica is a non-edible crop able to adapt to adverse climatic conditions, arising as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. With this objective, an eco-friendly route for biodiesel production from crambe oil by enzymatic transesterification was evaluated in order to maximize fatty acid methyl esters content. Response Surface Methodology and central composite design (two factors, three levels, one central point, two replicas) was used to obtain predictive models considering catalyst concentration and methanol:oil molar ratio as independent variables. Since the reaction was monitored overtime, a predictive model considering three independent variables (three factors, three levels) was also obtained. Enzymatic transesterification is a good alternative process to obtain high FAME yield, with 84 ± 5 wt % being obtained after 2 h using a methanol:oil molar ratio 6:1 and 8 wt% of enzyme, a value which predictably can increase to almost 99 wt% after 24 h. The results showed that the methanol:oil molar ratio and the enzyme’s concentration considerably influence the FAME content during enzymatic catalyzed reaction. The polynomial regression models obtained can help to balance the concentration of enzyme and alcohol to improve FAME production and to predict the resulting yield.

Vegetable oils are well known for their potential applications in green chemistry, including use as hydraulic fluids. Among oilseed crops, Crambe abyssinica Hochst. EX R.E.Fr . gained attention for its low-input requirements during cultivation and for the properties of its oil, characterised by a high erucic acid content. This long-chain mono-unsaturated fatty acid provides appreciable features that make the oil suitable for interesting green chemistry sectors, as biolubricants and cosmetics. In the present work, Crambe oil was tested as a hydraulic fluid for sustainable agricultural applications. Crambe oil was partially refined through phospholipid removal and added with a food-grade antioxidant (tert-butylhydroquinone) at two different concentrations. The fluid efficiency tests were carried out using an experimental test rig, able to simulate a real hydraulic device, performing heavy work cycles at 40-MPa pressure and at 100 °C temperature, with the aim of strongly accelerating the ageing of the tested fluid. At a lower antioxidant concentration, 0.25 g kg−1, the oil underwent a very quick degradation process. However, increasing the additive dose to 2.0 g kg−1, the fluid maintained stable performances. Indeed, all parameters, referred to oil chemical-physical stability and technical performance, were constant along the entire work cycle, up to 290 h. Finally, the present work showed how Crambe seed cultivation, oil extraction and exploitation in the hydraulic circuit of farm machinery could be developed applying green chemistry approaches aiming at small-scale biorefineries linked to the local supply.

Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is designated B100 and is regarded as the major substitute for fossil diesel. Crambe abyssinica, a native plant from Ethiopia, has great potential for biodiesel production due to its higher calorific value and oxidative stability as compared to soybean oil biodiesel. Compared to fossil diesel, C. abyssinica oil biodiesel emits significantly less CO2 without efficiency loss. However, its crude oil only provides good results if it undergoes supercritical transesterification. Here, we aimed to produce ethyl and methyl esters from crambe oil under ambient conditions. Initially, we tested two methods to degum crambe oil: aqueous degumming and acid degumming. We subjected the degummed oil to transesterification through the methylic or the ethylic route, catalyzed by KOH. The methyl esters of the biodiesel obtained by esterification of crambe oil submitted to acid degumming had higher oxidative stability as compared to the methyl esters of the biodiesel obtained from crambe oil subjected to aqueous degumming: 15.7 h and 10.7 h, respectively, but the yield was lower: 70% vs. 80%, respectively. The ethyl esters of the biodiesel obtained from crambe oil submitted to aqueous degumming provided the highest yield and oxidative stability: 65% and 8.5 h, respectively. We also evaluated the oxidative stability of blends consisting of crambe oil methylic or ethylic biodiesel and soybean oil biodiesel.

Although not considered poisonous and with natural occurrence, Zn contamination is mainly related to anthropic actions. This research aim was to develop, from crambe wastes, adsorbents with high adsorption capacity of Zn2+. The crambe biomass was modified with H2O2, H2SO4 and NaOH 0.1 mol L−1, resulting in four crambe-based adsorbents: C. in natura (unmodified), C. H2O2, C. H2SO4 and C. NaOH. These were studied by determination of their chemical components, SEM, FTIR, pHPZC, thermal stability (by TG/DTG curves), SSA, pore volume and pore diameter (by BET and BJH). Adsorption studies were also carried out to evaluate its Zn removal capacity. Evaluations were taken on adsorbent dose and the influence of the pH, as well as studies on adsorption kinetics and equilibrium. These results were evaluated by pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion, Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Sips (linear and nonlinear models). Results show that the crambe-based adsorbents may have functional groups such as hydroxyls, amides, carbonyls and carboxylates, which may be responsible for the Zn2+adsorption. The materials have heterogeneous structure, allowing the occurrence of mono and multilayer adsorption of Zn. The finest results point out the occurrence of mono and multilayer of Zn2+ (evidenced by Sips-nonlinear model), with an increase in Qsat of 72% (C. H2O2), 22% (C. H2SO4) and 80% (C. NaOH). The developed crambe adsorbents have low cost of production (since the raw material is until now a solid waste) and have high removal ratio of Zn2+ from waters, being a promising technology.

Slow pyrolysis is a process for the thermochemical conversion of biomasses into bio-oils that may contain a rich chemical composition with biotechnological potential. Bio-oil produced from crambe fruits was investigated as to their acaricidal effect. Slow pyrolysis of crambe fruits was performed in a batch reactor at 400°C and chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The bio-oil collected was used in bioassays with larvae and engorged females of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Biological assays were performed using the larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test. The GC-MS of crambe fruit bio-oil revealed mainly hydrocarbons such as alkanes and alkenes, phenols, and aldehydes. The bio-oil in the LPT exhibited an LC90 of 14.4%. In addition, crambe bio-oil caused female mortality of 91.1% at a concentration of 15% and a high egg-laying inhibition. After ovary dissection of treated females, a significant reduction in gonadosomatic index was observed, indicating that bio-oil interfered in tick oogenesis. Considering these results, it may be concluded that slow pyrolysis of crambe fruit affords a sustainable and eco-friendly product for the control of cattle tick R. microplus.

This study had the objective of assessing growth, deficiency symptoms and leaf anatomy of crambe plants submitted to macronutrient availability. The experimental design was the complete ran...

As an important industrial feedstock, wax esters (WEs) have been used as lubricants in a number of technical processes. There is however currently no large-scale biological source for WE production and alteration in metabolic pathways of plant oils for producing WEs could be attractive to the commercial markets. Here, we present the breeding results of long-term studies on successful development of new crambe lines producing WEs through genetic engineering and cross breeding. The transgenic crambe lines producing WEs at over 25% of the total seed oil were first generated by introduction of the jojoba WE biosynthetic genes ScFAR and ScWS. Further improvement of the lines aiming at improving oxidative stability of WEs was achieved through introducing the CaFAD2-RNAi gene into these lines by crossing. The hybrid lines possessed similar agronomic traits to the wild type and a stable level of WEs over several generations, suggesting a high potential of crambe as an industrial crop for WE production.

Several oilseed plants have been researched for biodiesel production in Brazil, and Crambe abyssinica Hochst is one of the most promising species. The effect of the phytonematodes M. incognita race 3 and Meloidogyne javanica on C. abyssinica plants was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. A randomized block design with five nematode inoculum levels (350, 700, 1400, 2800, and 5600 eggs) and ten replications was used. C. abyssinica plants without inoculation were used as controls, and the viability of the nematodes used was tested in tomato plants inoculated with 2000 eggs. The plots consisted of pots containing one plant. The number of root knots (NG), number of egg masses (NEM), and number of eggs + second-stage juveniles (NEJ2) per root system, number of J2 per 200 cm3 of soil (NJ2), and shoot dry weight (SDW) of the inoculated C. abyssinica plants were evaluated at 45 days after inoculation. The reproduction factor (RF) of the nematodes was also evaluated. The resistance of the plants to the phytonematodes was classified using the RF criterion. Crambe abyssinica plants are susceptible to the different inoculum levels of Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita used, and the data of all nematode variables (NG, NEM, NEJ2, NJ2, and RF) were fitted by linear models. Dentre todas as oleaginosas que estão sendo pesquisadas atualmente no Brasil para produção de biodiesel, o crambe, Crambe abyssinica Hochst, vem se revelando como uma das mais promissoras. Neste trabalho estudou-se a reação de crambe aos fitonematoides Meloidogyne javanica e M. incognita raça 3, em casa-de-vegetação. Para os ensaios adotou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com cinco níveis de inóculos (350, 700, 1400, 2800 e 5600 ovos) e dez repetições. Plantas de crambe sem inoculação de ovos foram usadas como controle e para comprovar a viabilidade dos inóculos dos nematoides usou-se tomateiros inoculados com 2000 ovos. A parcela constituiu-se de um vaso contendo uma planta. Após quarenta e cinco dias da inoculação dos nematoides, determinou-se o número de galhas, de massas de ovos e de ovos+ juvenis de segundo estádio (J2) por raiz, o número de J2 por 200 cm3 de solo e o peso de matéria seca. Determinou-se também o fator de reprodução (FR). A classificação da resistência aos fitonematoides foi feita utilizando o critério do fator de reprodução (FR). O crambe comportou-se como suscetível em todos os níveis de inóculo e observou-se ajuste do modelo linear para todas as variáveis nematológicas (galhas, massas, J2, ovos e FR) avaliadas.

To evaluate the substitution of soybean meal by crushed crambe as a source of protein, five crossbred steers rumen cannulated weighting 426 ± 25 kg BW were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The steers were allocated in different levels of crushed crambe groups (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg in concentrate supplement). Dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fluid pH, nitrogen (N) urinary excretion, propionate and isovalerate ruminal concentrations increased linearly (p .05) by the crushed crambe inclusion in the diet. It is recommended that 100 g/kg of the crushed crambe inclusion replacing soybean meal supplements to grazing steers because improved supplement DMI and total SCFAs, reducing ruminal fermentation and nitrogen excretion, without affecting digestibility and microbial protein synthesis.Highlights DM intake and digestibility were not affected in steers fed crushed crambe. Urinary N excretion increased with crushed crambe replacing soybean meal.

Technologies based on electromagnetic radiation, such as the X-ray technique, has contributed to the establishment of new and promising methodologies for evaluating seed quality. This study aimed to relate parameters based on semi-automated analysis of radiographs of crambe seeds to their physiological quality. Radiographic images of seeds from 10 seed lots of cultivar FMS Brilhante were semi-automatically analyzed using ImageJ® software. Measurements of morphometric characteristics and tissue integrity were obtained for the seeds, as well as individually for the seed embryo. Following X-ray test, the seeds were subject to germination and seedling growth test. It was possible to visualize the internal structures of the seeds in the radiographs. There were differences in the physical parameters obtained by the semi-automated analysis of the radiographs between the seed lots. Also, the lots differed regarding the physiological quality of the seeds. Morphometric characteristics and tissue integrity, especially for the seed embryo, showed high correlation with the seed physiological quality. Therefore, this work presents an efficient approach to rapid and non-destructively assess the quality of crambe seeds. Resumo: Tecnologias baseadas em radiação eletromagnética, como a técnica de raios X, contribuíram para estabelecer novas e promissoras metodologias para avaliar a qualidade de sementes. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve como objetivo relacionar parâmetros baseados na análise semiautomatizada de radiografias de sementes de crambe à sua qualidade fisiológica. Imagens radiográficas de sementes pertencentes a 10 lotes da cultivar FMS Brilhante foram analisadas de forma semiautomatizada por meio do software ImageJ®. Foram obtidas medidas de características morfométricas e integridade tecidual das sementes, bem como individualmente para o embrião das sementes. Após o teste de raio-X, as sementes foram submetidas ao teste de germinação e crescimento de plântulas. Foi possível visualizar as estruturas internas das sementes nas radiografias. Houve diferenças nos parâmetros físicos obtidos pela análise semiautomática das radiografias entre os lotes de sementes. Além disso, os lotes diferiram quanto à qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Características morfométricas e de integridade tecidual, especialmente para o embrião, apresentaram alta correlação com a qualidade fisiológica. Assim, este trabalho apresenta uma abordagem eficiente para avaliar de forma rápida e não destrutiva a qualidade de sementes de crambe.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst R.E. Fries) has recently attracted a renewed interest by the bio-based industry due to its high seed oil content (up to 57%), particularly erucic acid (up to 65% of total fatty acids), short growing cycle, and high drought tolerance. A field trial was conducted during four consecutive growing seasons (2016−19) in Greece, Poland, and Italy. The commercial crambe variety (Galactica) was sown in early, intermediate, and late sowing dates in spring at two seeding rates (LD: 100 seeds m−2, and HD: 200 seeds m−2) in a factorial design at each test location. Mean crambe seed yields exceeded 1.5 Mg DM ha-1 across all years and locations. Italy and Greece were the most productive sites, with average seed yields of 2.11 Mg DM ha-1 and 1.97 Mg DM ha-1, respectively. Oil yield, which was only determined in Italy and Poland, was about 30% greater in the southern environment (Italy). Nevertheless, 1000-seed weight was greater in Poland (6.49 g) than Italy (6.12 g), revealing that lower temperatures during seed filling resulted in heavier seeds. In conclusion, sowing date played a key role in crambe productivity, with the earliest sowing resulting in highest yields across all locations.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha&minus, 1) and sulfur (0, 15, and 30 kg ha&minus, 1) fertilization on the morphometric parameters of plants, seed yield components, seed and straw yield, N fertilizer use efficiency (NFUE), and quality of crambe seeds. The experiment had a randomized complete block design, and it was carried out in Bałcyny (northeastern Poland) in 2017&ndash, 2019. In northeastern Poland, the average seed yields ranged from 0.96 to 1.64&ndash, 1.82 Mg ha&minus, 1 (hulled seeds). Seed yield increased significantly in response to 120 kg N ha&minus, 1 and 15 kg S ha&minus, 1. The NFUE of crambe decreased by 28% with a rise in N rate. Hulled crambe seeds accumulated 324&ndash, 394 g kg&minus, 1 DM of crude fat, 208&ndash, 238 g kg&minus, 1 DM of total protein, and 118&ndash, 137 g kg&minus, 1 DM of crude fiber. Nitrogen fertilization decreased the crude fat content (by 6%), and it increased the total protein content (by 11%) and the crude fiber content (by 14%) of crambe seeds. Sulfur fertilization increased crude fat content (by 4&ndash, 5%) without inducing significant differences in the total protein content and the crude fat content of seeds.

We hypothesized that by-products from biodiesel production like crambe meal (Crambe abyssinica) totally replace soybean meal (Glycine max) and crude glycerin could partially replace corn (Zea mays). Our aim was to evaluate different supplements with combinations of crambe meal and crude glycerin replacing soybean meal or corn on performance and carcass traits of finishing heifers. Sixty Nellore heifers 18 months old were used, and 298.96 ± 21.99 kg of body weight allotted in Brachiaria brizantha pastures. All heifers were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments being the following supplements: corn + soybean meal (CS), corn + crambe meal (CCr), corn + soybean meal + crude glycerin (CSG), corn + crambe meal + crude glycerin + (CCrG). The animals were distributed in four paddocks of 13 hectares each, in a continuous grazing system. We evaluated pasture characteristics, intake, performance, carcass traits, characteristics, and centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. There was an effect (P < 0.05) of inclusion of crambe meal on the performance of the animals for slaughter weight and daily gain. The supplement containing corn + soybean meal (CS) presented better conversion rates and food efficiency. There was an effect of inclusion of crambe meal and crude glycerin on the centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. The use of crambe meal and crude glycerin as alternative sources from the agro-industry of biodiesel in concentrate supplement for finishing heifers in pastures can promote positive effects related to productive performance and carcass characteristics.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of broilers fed a diet in which the total protein has been replaced by the protein of the crambe meal. The experiment was used 630 male chickens (Cobb® 500) from 8 to 42 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replications of 21 birds per plot. The treatments were: control diet (0%) and diets containing 3, 6, 9 and 12% of crambe meal protein in replacement of the total protein of the feed. The performance was evaluated in the initial phase (8 to 21 days), growth (22 to 42 days) and total (8 to 42 days). Carcass and cuts was evaluated at 43 days of age. Diets containing crambe meal promoted lower feed intake compared with to the control diet in all evaluated phases. For weight gain, a worse result was observed with increased inclusion of crambe protein, with a linear decrease compared to those who did not receive crambe in the total breeding period. It was found that for the total period the best feed conversion was obtained with 6% of the inclusion of crambe protein in comparison to the crambe-free diet. Carcass, breast and thigh weights decreased with a diet containing 12% of the crambe protein. The results indicate that it is possible to partially replace the crude protein of the feed up to 6% with the protein of the crambe meal. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el rendimiento de los pollos de engorde alimentados con una dieta en la que la proteína total fue reemplazada por la proteína del salvado de crambe. Se utilizaron 630 pollitos machos de la línea Cobb 500 de 8 a 42 días de edad, distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar con cinco tratamientos, seis repeticiones de 21 aves por parcela. Los tratamientos fueron: dieta de un grupo testigo (0%) y dietas que contenían 3, 6, 9 y 12% de proteína de salvado de crambe en reemplazo de la proteína total del alimento. El rendimiento se evaluó en la fase inicial (8 a 21 días), crecimiento (22 a 42 días) y total (8 a 42 días). La carcasa y los cortes fueron evaluados a los 43 días de edad. Las dietas que contienen salvado de crambe promovieron una baja ingesta de alimento en comparación con la dieta de control en todas las fases evaluadas. Para el aumento de peso, se observó un peor resultado con un aumento en la inclusión de la proteína del crambe, con una disminución lineal en comparación con aquellos que no recibieron crambe en el período de cría total. Se encontró que para el período total se obtuvo la mejor conversión alimenticia con un 6% de la inclusión de proteína crambe en comparación con la dieta libre de crambe. Los pesos en canal, pechuga y muslo se redujeron con la dieta que contenía el 12% de la proteína crambe. Es posible el reemplazo parcial de proteína cruda en la dieta de hasta 6% por proteína de salvado de crambe. Este estudo objetiva avaliar o desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com dieta em que a proteína total foi substituída pela proteína do farelo de crambe. Foram utilizados 630 pintos machos (Cobb 500) de 8 a 42 dias de idade distribuídos no delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições de 21 aves por parcela. Os tratamentos foram: dieta controle (0%) e dietas contendo 3, 6, 9 e 12% de proteína do farelo de crambe em substituição da proteína total da ração. O desempenho foi avaliado na fase inicial (8 a 21 dias), crescimento (22 a 42 dias) e total (8 a 42 dias). A carcaça e cortes foram avaliados aos 43 dias de idade. Dietas contendo farelo de crambe promoveu baixo consumo de ração comparado com a dieta controle em todas as fases avaliadas. Para o ganho de peso observou-se pior resultado com aumento da inclusão da proteína do crambe, com decréscimo linear comparado aos que não receberam o crambe no período total de criação. Verificou-se que para o período total a melhor conversão alimentar foi obtida com 6% da inclusão da proteína do crambe em comparação à dieta isenta de crambe. Os pesos da carcaça, de peito e de coxa reduziram com a dieta contendo 12% da proteína do crambe. Os dados indicam que é possível a substituição parcial da proteína bruta da ração até 6% pela proteína do farelo de crambe.

The sustainable production of renewable energy is a key topic on the European community’s agenda in the next decades. The use of residuals from agriculture could not be enough to meet the growing demand for energy, and the contribution of vegetable oil to biodiesel production may be important. Moreover, vegetable oil can surrogate petroleum products in many cases, as in cosmetics, biopolymers, or lubricants production. However, the cultivation of oil crops for the mere production of industrial oil would arise concerns on competition for land use between food and non-food crops. Additionally, the economic sustainability is not always guaranteed, since the mechanical harvesting, in some cases, is still far from acceptable. Therefore, it is difficult to plan the future strategy on bioproducts production from oil crops if the actual feasibility to harvest the seeds is still almost unknown. With the present review, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive overview on the state of the art of mechanical harvesting in seven herbaceous oil crops, namely: sunflower (Heliantus annuus L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.), camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), crambe (Crambe abyssinica R. E. Fr.), and castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). The review underlines that the mechanical harvesting of sunflower, canola and cardoon seeds is performed relying on specific devices that perform effectively with a minimum seed loss. Crambe and safflower seeds can be harvested through a combine harvester equipped with a header for cereals. On the other hand, camelina and castor crops still lack the reliable implementation on combine harvesters. Some attempts have been performed to harvest camelina and castor while using a cereal header and a maize header, respectively, but the actual effectiveness of both strategies is still unknown.

As an alternative fuel of diesel engines, the interest in biodiesel fuels is rising due to some useful features. This interest leads to an increase in the diversity of studies. In recent years, studies about the crops that can grow in non-arable lands and produce nonedible oils were increased. In this work, performance and emissions of biodiesel production from crambe abyssinica and crambe orientalis oils were studied. The purpose of this paper was to examine the performance and emissions of crambe biodiesels and diesel fuel in a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injected diesel engine with air cooling system at 2200 1/min fixed engine speed and with four different engine loads (BMEP, 0.12 MPa, 0.24 MPa, 0.36 MPa and 0.48 MPa). Crambe abyssinica biodiesel and crambe orientalis biodiesel were expressed as CAME B100 and COME B100 respectively. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), total hydrocarbon (THC), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and smoke emissions results obtained from the experimental study were compared with No. 2 diesel fuel. Achieved results suggest us that crambe biodiesels can preferred for diesel engines. Since environmental effects and energy requirement become more important, the interest of the crops that can grow unsuitable lands has increased.

The aim of this study was to assess the 1000-seed weight (M1000) and oil content of seeds of canola (Brassica napus L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst), flax (Linum usitatissimum) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.), grown in fall/winter at four locations in the State of Parana (Brazil) with varying edaphoclimatic features, and intended for the production of biodiesel. The weight of the 1000 seeds (M1000) measurement was conducted using an electronic counter (ESC 2008 SANICK). Seed moisture content was determined using the oven drying method at 105 °C. The Soxhlet method was used to extract and quantify the oil. The weight of the 1000 seeds was higher for canola, safflower and crambe grown at the Londrina location. At the four locations evaluated, the cultivar that produced seeds with the highest oil content was crambe FMS Brilhante, followed by canola, flax, safflower and radish. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the edaphoclimatic conditions at the locations, and in particular the temperature, which had no effect on M1000 and oil content. The oilseed plants with the highest M1000 value did not have the highest oil content, and there was an inverse relationship between M1000 and oil content.

The urgent need to reduce the use of fossil sources, whether agricultural inputs or fuels, and to promote a more sustainable means of production has become an incessant search worldwide. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be an important alternative once they act in the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in the soil and in the maintenance of soil and plant health and quality. Crambe abyssinica has been recognized as an important crop for the production of high-quality biodiesel. The identification of specific PGPR are of great importance for the production of sustainable and low-cost biodiesel. The effect of four different PGPR and its mixture, on the growth and yield of Crambe was assessed in a greenhouse setting. Six treatments were used: Azospirillum brasilense (strain Ab-V5), Methylobacterium komagatae (strain ZM), Rhizobium sp. (strain 8.1.2.1), Azomonas sp. (strain 4.3.1.2), a mixture of these four and no inoculation. Plant height and stem diameter, the area of roots, and yield were evaluated. M. komagatae, Azomonas sp. and Rhizobium sp. provided an average of 102% greater root area compared to uninoculated crambe. However, only M. komagatae provided a significant yield increase (108%). The positive responses of a bacterium not previously reported as growth-promoting enables also a series of study possibilities such as the elucidation of the mechanisms of association and testing in other plantas, particularly other Brassicaceae.

This study aimed to evaluate the total contents of As, Cu and Zn in the profile of a Haplic Cambisol cultivated with crambe and corn and fertilized with sanitary sewage sludge and to compare them with those obtained in other forms of fertilization, as well as the content of metals in the grain of these crops. Two experiments were carried out in the field, one with maize cultivation and another with crambe, both were delineated as randomized blocks with four treatments and six replicates, which were: without fertilization, fertilization with sewage sludge dewatered and dried in the sun, with dry sewage sludge and with mineral fertilizers. At the end of the experiments soil samples were collected at 15, 50, 100, 150 and 200 cm depth for analysis of the total contents of As, Cu and Zn, as well as the grain of the crops. No differences were observed among the treatments. The total contents of As, Cu and Zn in the soil in both experiments and in the corn grains are below the limits of prevention and the maximum limit in grains established by the Brazilian resolutions. In relation to depth, the metal contents in the samples collected from the soil submitted to the fertilization treatments were similar to those quantified in the plots that did not received fertilization, but there was accumulation of Cu and Zn in the upper layers of the soil that received fertilization. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os teores totais de As, Cu e Zn no perfil de um Cambissolo Háplico cultivado com crambe e milho e adubado com lodo de esgoto sanitário e compará-los com os obtidos em outras formas de adubação, bem como o teor de metais no grão dessas culturas. Foram realizados dois experimentos a campo, um com cultivo de milho e outro com crambe, ambos delineados em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições, sendo eles: sem adubação, adubação com lodo de esgoto desaguado e seco ao sol, com lodo de esgoto e com fertilizantes minerais. Ao final dos experimentos foram coletadas amostras de solo nas profundidades de 15, 50, 100, 150 e 200 cm para análise dos teores totais de As, Cu e Zn, bem como os grãos das culturas. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos. Os teores totais de As, Cu e Zn no solo em ambos os experimentos e nos grãos de milho estão abaixo dos limites de prevenção e do limite máximo em grãos estabelecidos pelas resoluções brasileiras. Em relação à profundidade, os teores de metais nas amostras coletadas do solo submetidos aos tratamentos de adubação foram semelhantes aos quantificados nas parcelas que não receberam adubação, mas houve acúmulo de Cu e Zn nas camadas superiores do solo que recebeu a fertilização.

The aim of this study was to determine the energy and economic efficiency ofCamelina sativaandCrambe abyssinicaproduction on a commercial plantation. The study was based on a three-year large- scale trial. The energy and economic inputs in the production of camelina and crambe were similar and were dominated by the consumption of fertilisers. The average yield of camelina and crambe seeds was very similar but the yield of camelina was more stable. The average energy gain from production of camelina was higher by 4.9% compared with the crambe. The average income from camelina seeds production (876.3 €ha-1) was higher by almost 12% than for crambe. The average energy efficiency ratio for production of camelina seeds (2.00) was higher by 5.7% compared with the crambe. The average energy efficiency ratio for the production of total biomass (seeds and straw) of camelina (4.74) was higher by 4.2% compared with the crambe. The revenue from camelina seeds was on average 312 €ha-1and was 36% higher than that from crambe seeds, while the revenue from camelina total biomass production was on average 432.6 €ha-1and was 26% higher than the value obtained from crambe production.

Understanding the influence of row spacing and plant density on grain yield and yield components of crambe is critical in order to obtain higher grain yields. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of row spacing and plant density on grain yield and its components in crambe in two distinct regions of Brazil (Marechal Candido Rondon-PR, MCR-PR, and Botucatu-SP, BTU-SP). Narrow and wide row spacing (0.20 and 0.40 m) combined with four plant densities (15, 25, 35, and 45 plants m-1) were evaluated in a randomized block layout with four replications in a 2 × 4 factorial design. The experiment at BTU-SP was run under rainfed conditions with supplementary irrigation, whereas the experiment at MCR-PR was run under rainfed conditions without supplementary irrigation. Both experiments were run in soils classified as Oxisols. There was no interaction between row spacing and plant density. Highest grain yield with supplementary irrigation was observed at 0.20 m row spacing. Without irrigation, row spacing did not affect grain yield owing to the plasticity of crop. The highest grain yield was observed with approximately 30 plants m-1 at both experimental locations. A strong negative correlation was observed between final plant population and number of grains per plant. There was high plant mortality, particularly at high plant densities cultivated under irrigation. Higher mortality occurred because of high intraspecific competition and a larger disease incidence due to the higher humidity in the irrigated experiment. A mechanism of self-adjustment by plant density was observed in crambe, with its intensity dependent on plant density and environmental conditions, such as water and nutrient availability and light incidence.

Crambe abyssinica (crambe) is a new industrial oil crop that can grow on saline soil and tolerates salty water irrigation. Genetically engineered crambe in which the seed‐oil composition is manipulated for more erucic acid and less polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) would be highly beneficial to industry. In this research, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2 RNA interference (CaLPAT2‐RNAi) was introduced into the crambe genome to manipulate its oil composition. The result showed in comparison with wild type, CaLPAT2‐RNAi could significantly reduce linoleic and linolenic acid content, simultaneously increasing erucic acid content. Systematic metabolism engineering was then carried out to further study CaLPAT2‐RNAi, combined with the overexpression of Brassica napus fatty acid elongase (BnFAE), Limnanthes douglasii LPAT (LdLPAT), and RNAi of endogenous fatty acid desaturase 2 (CaFAD2‐RNAi). Oil composition analysis on the tranformants' seeds showed that (a) with CaFAD2‐RNAi, PUFA content could be dramatically decreased, in comparison with BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi, and BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi seeds showed lower linolenic acid content; (b) BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi could increase the erucic acid content in crambe seed oil from less than 66.6% to 71.6%, whereas the highest erucic acid content of BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi was 79.2%; (c) although the four‐gene combination could not increase the erucic acid content of seed oil to a higher level than the others, it led to increased carbon resource deposited into C22:1 and C18:1 moieties and lower PUFA. Summarily, the present research indicates that suppression of LPAT2 is a new, promising strategy for seed‐oil biosynthesis pathway engineering, which would increase the value of crambe oil.

Crambe ( Crambe abyssinica Hochst) is a Brassicaceae crop with high potential for biofuel production without conflict with food industry and with similar energy performance to fossil fuels, but there is almost no information on soil conditions affecting crop grain and oil production. We studied the spatial correlation between soil porous space, soil resistance to penetration, and bulk density of a clayey Oxisol (Ferralsol) with crambe grain yield and oil content. Four states of compaction were generated by using a roller compactor, in a 1-ha field, and 133 georeferenced sampling points were selected. In two consecutive years, these positions were used for soil physical characterization, and crambe harvesting for grain yield and oil content determinations. Soil resistance to penetration, bulk density, and pore space properties showed spatial dependence structure over time in three soil layers. After two years of crambe cultivation, soil bulk density and soil resistance to penetration values increased, and soil porosity decreased in all soil layers, showing that crambe root system was not able to improve soil physical composition properties. Soil bulk density up to 1.3 Mg m −3 reduced grain yield and increased oil content of crambe. Increased soil bulk density and resistance to penetration, caused by additional soil compaction, changes crambe source/sink relationship, resulting in lower crambe grain yield, but in grains with higher oil content.

Oil hydrolysis is an important industrial process that requires high temperatures and pressure, or expensive enzymatic catalysts; it is, therefore, necessary to seek the use of inexpensive raw materials and process enhancement. In this work, a rapid and eco-friendly method, using ultrasound power, was successfully employed to hydrolyze crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) oil using lipase enzymes directly from castor (Ricinus communis L.) seeds, in oil-free and fresh forms. A yield of 86 % conversion of triglycerides into free fatty acids (FFA) was achieved in 5 min using castor fresh seeds and 73 % of conversion when performing the reaction with oil-free seeds. The operational conditions of ultrasound power, mass ratio of buffer solution and oil, catalyst, and total substrate were evaluated using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The hydrolysis yield was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions were approximately 70 % of ultrasound power (350 W), 1.79 buffer solution/oil mass ratio, and 0.25 catalyst/substrate mass ratio for fresh seeds. For the oil-free seeds, the optimal conditions found were 68 % (340 W) of ultrasound power, 1.67 buffer solution/oil mass ratio, and 0.06 catalyst/substrate mass ratio. Mathematical modeling was applied to the experimental kinetic data, and it was possible to predict FFA concentration values from independent experiments.

The soxhlet oil extraction method provides a large amount of oil when compared to other methods, however the commonly used solvents are not always effective. The objective of this work was to compare the efficiency of two solvents in different moisture contents in the extraction of peanut oil (Arachis hypogaea L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), soybean (Glycine max), crambe (Crambe abyssinica) and canola (Brassica napus L.). The experiment was conducted in a 5 × 2×2 factorial scheme, and five grain moisture contents (9.44%, 7.76%, 6.68%, 6.82% and 7.77%) were tested for canola, crambe, peanut, sunflower and soybean, respectively, two solvents (petroleum ether and hexane) and four repetitions, totaling 80 experimental units. The solvents presented have no influence on the content of sunflower oil and soybean, while extractions of dry grains result in an increase in the content of sunflower oil, regardless of the solvent used. The interaction between the solvent of hexane (without moisture in the grains) optimizes the extraction of canola oil. It was also verified the highest percentage of peanut oil content (43.49%) extracted with petroleum ether with moisture in the grains (6.69%). For the grains of crambe, the humidity of (7.76%) presented the best percentage with 11.95% of oil.

The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Center in Agricultural Engineering (NEEA), at the State University of West Parana (UNIOESTE), Cascavel – Parana, with a totally randomized experimental design. Treatments used were petroleum diesel and three different types of biodiesel: crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst), soybean (Glycine (L.) Merrill) and waste frying oil. The biodiesel was used in its pure form (B100) and in binary mixtures B10, B20 and B50. Resistive loads of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kW were used for each type of fuel, with a total of five replications. Specific consumption (SC) and energy efficiency (EE) were evaluated. The best SC levels were achieved with diesel, with 349 g kW h−1 under the load of 5 kW, followed by CB20-2, with 524 g kW h−1 and CB50-3, with 433 g kW h−1. Biodiesel presented SC values close to those of diesel as resistive loads were increased, what indicates that its use in operations closer to the nominal capacity is more efficient. Among the biodiesel forms used, the crambe oil-based biodiesel presented lower SC and some of the values did not present significant differences (Tukey 5%) from diesel's SC, such as CB20-4, with 383 g kW h−1 and CB10-5, with 367 g kW h−1. The best energy efficiency values were found with DI-5 (25.6%), CB-100-5 (25.5%), CB50-5 (25.0%), SB100-5 (24.8%) and WFOB100-5 (24.6%). Pure biodiesel (B100) tends to present better EE than the mixtures used in the study. CB100 presented EE of 9.9%, 17.8%, 21.8%, 24.3% and 25.5%, according to resistive loads of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kW, respectively. Regarding the biofuels assessed, crambe oil-based biodiesel presented the EE values that were closer to those of diesel. The energy efficiency of CB100 was higher than diesel's with loads of 2, 3 and 4 kW.

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a substituição da proteína da ração pela proteína do farelo de crambe (Crambe abyssinica) sobre o desempenho dos frangos de corte na fase inicial (oito a 21 dias). Foram utilizados 420 pintos machos da linhagem Cobb 500®, distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições de 21 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos experimentais constituíram de uma ração testemunha sem o farelo de crambe e os demais pela substituição da proteína da ração nos níveis de 5, 10, 15 e 20%. Não houve efeito significativo para conversão alimentar dos frangos, no entanto, observou-se efeito linear decrescente para o consumo de ração e o ganho de peso das aves, à medida que a proteína do crambe substituiu a proteína da ração. Verificou-se redução do consumo de ração aos níveis de 10, 15 e 20% de substituição da proteína. Para o ganho de peso, os menores valores observados foram para os níveis de 15 e 20% de substituição, enquanto que os níveis de 5 e 10% não diferiram em relação ao tratamento testemunha. Portanto, recomenda-se a substituição do farelo de crambe na ração até o nível de 10% por não influenciar negativamente no ganho de peso dos frangos de corte.

In this study, the effectiveness of the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of crambe seed oil was evaluated with the aim of biodiesel synthesis by in situ interesterification. An experimental design was applied, using a mixture of n -hexane and methyl acetate as the solvent, to evaluate the effect of the process variables and determine the conditions that maximize the removal of oil from the seeds. The results indicated that the extraction time and temperature have a greater influence on the oil extraction than the solvent:seed ratio (p −1 ) for 90 min provided the maximum oil yield (∼37%), representing ∼92% of the yield obtained by the conventional method and a 20% increase compared with the yield obtained without ultrasound. The fatty acids compositions of oils obtained by UAE and conventional extraction were similar (p > 0.05), showing a predominance of erucic, oleic and linoleic acids, which accounted for ∼86.5% of the oil composition. The water and free fatty acids contents indicate that the oils obtained cannot be processed by the conventional method using alkaline homogeneous catalysis for the production of biodiesel.

Biochar is the term given to biomass subjected to the process of change in the composition by the action of high temperatures. Advantages of biochar in soil quality have been reported, including amelioration of salinity effects. Crambe has great potential to figure as raw material for biofuel, since it naturally contains up to 60% of erucic acid. This study evaluated crambe growth in a soil amended with biochar and irrigated with saline waters. A greenhouse experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design with five levels of biochar, two irrigation water supplies, and four replications. Parameters related to soil chemical properties, crambe growth, oil, and macronutrient contents were evaluated. Biochar presented significance for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) contents. Crambe growth parameters decreased with the doses of biochar. Oil and macronutrient contents were in accordance to previous studies.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:40:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-01-01 Plants affect soil phosphorus (P) solubility through root exudates, but studies are lacking on species used as relay or cover crops in tropical environments. We evaluated the effect of cover crops on soil phosphorus (P) availability in an oxisol. Ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), crambe (Crambe abyssinica), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were grown in pots with soil. Phosphorus uptake, soil inorganic and organic P, maximum P adsorption capacity, and plant root systems were assessed. When root length density is high, the efficiency of P uptake is low due to root competition. Crambe results in greater soil P availability, while peanut and sorghum decrease the soil maximum P adsorption capacity, probably by exuding or stimulating microbial production of organic acids and phenolic compounds. Hence, crambe, peanut, and sorghum are species that may be of interest to increase P use efficiency in cropping systems. Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Crop Sci, Coll Agr Sci, CP 237, BR-18601370 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Crop Sci, Coll Agr Sci, CP 237, BR-18601370 Botucatu, SP, Brazil