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Up to now renewable energy sources are primarily used in the Netherlands for electricity production. At the end of the past decade the GAVE programme was launched to facilitate the introduction of climate neutral gaseous and liquid fuels. A comprehensive study by ADL evaluated a large number of options for the production of gaseous and liquid fuels. During the ADL study, the use of bioethanol - produced from lignocellulosic feedstock - as a substitute for gasoline was identified as highly attractive and promising for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at a relatively low price. The objectives of this study are: (1) to give an overview of the current technology available for production of ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks, and which companies are currently involved in lignocellulosic ethanol; (2) to identify major technological obstacles in the current production scheme, and to indicate which improvements have to be reached for a successful implementation of this technology; and (3) to estimate when and in what way large scale implementation of lignocellulosic ethanol in the Dutch transportation fuel market may be foreseen. Finally, the prospects of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands by ethanol from lignocellulose are determined.

Up to now renewable energy sources are primarily used in the Netherlands for electricity production. At the end of the past decade the GAVE programme was launched to facilitate the introduction of climate neutral gaseous and liquid fuels. A comprehensive study by ADL evaluated a large number of options for the production of gaseous and liquid fuels. During the ADL study, the use of bioethanol - produced from lignocellulosic feedstock - as a substitute for gasoline was identified as highly attractive and promising for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at a relatively low price. The objectives of this study are: (1) to give an overview of the current technology available for production of ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks, and which companies are currently involved in lignocellulosic ethanol; (2) to identify major technological obstacles in the current production scheme, and to indicate which improvements have to be reached for a successful implementation of this technology; and (3) to estimate when and in what way large scale implementation of lignocellulosic ethanol in the Dutch transportation fuel market may be foreseen. Finally, the prospects of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands by ethanol from lignocellulose are determined.

The public concern surrounding antibiotic contamination in food and food products has made it imperative to develop analytical methods for their detection. Polyclonal antibodies and protein-hapten conjugates to cephalexin were used in the development of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based inhibition immunoassay to cephalexin. A conjugate consisting of cephalexin-bovine serum albumin (BSA) was immobilised on the dextran gel surface. Dissociation between the antibody and antigen was easily achieved with 10 mmol l-1 NaOH and was very reproducible. Standards of free hapten were prepared and premixed with antibody and, after a suitable incubation time, passed over the surface of the chip with the protein-hapten conjugate immobilised. The hapten in solution inhibited the binding of antibody to the surface resulting in higher response units of antibody bound at lower concentrations of free drug. Model inhibition immunoassays to cephalexin were developed in PBS and spiked milk samples. These assays had detection ranges between 4.88 to 2,500 ng ml-1 and 244 to 3,900 ng ml-1, respectively, with reproducible results

The invention pertains to a drier composition for air-drying alkyd-based coatings, inks, or floor coverings, comprising a combination of the following components: a) a transition metal salt with the formula: (Me )( X )m in which Me is the transition metal; X represents a coordinating ligand; and k- is the valence state of the transition metal and m is the number of ligands X. b) a reducing biomolecule. The reducing biomolecule is in particular ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof, including ascorbyl palmitate.

In dit PraktijkBoek wordt in opdracht van de Commissie Varkenshouderij van het PVV een inventarisatie gemaakt van de strategische thema's voor het praktijkonderzoek. Als eerste is hiervoor een schets gemaakt van een ondernemend varkensbedrijf anno 2010. In deze schets houden we nadrukkelijk rekening met de ontwikkelingen in de markt en maatschappij zoals beschreven in de inleiding. Daarna volgt een beschrijving van de huidige situatie van de varkenshouderij. Uitgaande van de toekomstschets en de huidige situatie wordt een analyse gemaakt van knelpunten die de invulling en toepassing van de gewenste bedrijfsontwikkeling kunnen belemmeren. Het Praktijkonderzoek Veehouderij geeft vervolgens aan welke oplossingsmogelijkheden kunnen worden geboden ter ondersteuning van de varkenshouders. Deze mogelijkheden vormen de leidraad voor de meerjarige projecten die in opdracht van het Productschap voor Vee en Vlees worden uitgevoerd.

The public concern surrounding antibiotic contamination in food and food products has made it imperative to develop analytical methods for their detection. Polyclonal antibodies and protein-hapten conjugates to cephalexin were used in the development of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based inhibition immunoassay to cephalexin. A conjugate consisting of cephalexin-bovine serum albumin (BSA) was immobilised on the dextran gel surface. Dissociation between the antibody and antigen was easily achieved with 10 mmol l-1 NaOH and was very reproducible. Standards of free hapten were prepared and premixed with antibody and, after a suitable incubation time, passed over the surface of the chip with the protein-hapten conjugate immobilised. The hapten in solution inhibited the binding of antibody to the surface resulting in higher response units of antibody bound at lower concentrations of free drug. Model inhibition immunoassays to cephalexin were developed in PBS and spiked milk samples. These assays had detection ranges between 4.88 to 2,500 ng ml-1 and 244 to 3,900 ng ml-1, respectively, with reproducible results

Up to now renewable energy sources are primarily used in the Netherlands for electricity production. At the end of the past decade the GAVE programme started to facilitate the introduction of gaseous and liquid fuels in the post-Kyoto period (after 2010), with the potential to realize more than 80% CO2 reduction as compared to its fossil alternative. In the first phase of the GAVE programme a large number of options for the production of climate neutral gaseous and liquid fuels were evaluated in a comprehensive study by ADL (Arthur D. Little International, Inc.). During the GAVE/ADL study, the conventional bio-transportation fuels (bio-ethanol from sugars and starch and bio-diesel from vegetable oils) were not included in the detailed analyses given their prospects for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (less than 50% CO2 reduction) and/ or because of their costs of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as compared to improved options (e.g. cellulosic based ethanol vs. sugar-based ethanol). The objective of this study is to update the knowledge on the conventional bio-transportation fuels. The data on costs and environmental performance of conventional bio-transportation fuels in recent studies are analysed and compared with the GAVE/ADL study. Developments with respect to feedstock and conversion processes are described and reviewed. Current commercial activities in different countries are summarised. Finally, the prospects for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands by conventional bio-transportation fuels are determined and socio-economic issues relevant for these fuels are described.

The practical application of field or natural leaching to rice straw was evaluated with the goal of improving biomass fuel value. Observations on three rice farms in the Sacramento Valley, California indicated that potassium, chlorine and total ash are leached from rice straw by rainfall regardless of rice variety, grain harvest method, straw arrangement, or stubble length. Leaching of sulfur by natural precipitation was not clearly established. In selected field plots leached straw was successfully collected in spring, even though biomass yields were variable (2.2– 3.4 Mg ha −1 ) and equipment had to operate in difficult conditions. Total costs for collecting leached straw on an area basis ($77.07 ha −1 ) are 31% higher compared to collecting crude straw in the fall ($58.67 ha −1 ) , due to reduced performance of machinery and addition of field curing operations. Analysis of historical rainfall data for the Sacramento Valley revealed that there is an 85% probability of receiving sufficient rainfall ( 250 mm or more) for substantial natural leaching of straw during the winter period. The available period for mechanized collection of rice straw after the winter period ranges from 0 to 45 days, depending on drying time needed to accomplish favorable field conditions, and planting date of the next crop. The feasibility of spring collection of rice straw could be improved if straw collection equipment were better equipped to operate under wet field conditions. The commercial implementation of natural leaching of rice straw as a strategy to improve fuel quality depends on a combination of factors that include grain harvest and straw collection practices, rainfall intensity and distribution, and field-specific factors.

Using primers designed on the basis of sequence homologies in the copper-binding domains for a number of plant and fungal tyrosinases, two tyrosinase encoding cDNAs were cloned from an Agaricus bisporus U1 cDNA-library. The sequences AbPPO1 and AbPPO2 were, respectively, 1.9 and 1.8 kb in size and encoded proteins of approximately 64 kDa. The cDNAs represent different loci. Both AbPPO1 and AbPPO2 occur as single copies on the genomes of the U1 parental strains H39 and H97. The genomic size of AbPPO1 and AbPPO2 is minimally 2.3 and 2.2 kb, respectively. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis of 35 tyrosinase and polyphenol oxidase sequences of animal, plant, fungal, and bacterial origin indicated conserved copper-binding domains, and stronger conservation within genera than between them. The translation products of AbPPO1 and AbPPO2 possess putative N-glycosylation and phosphorylation sites and are recognised by antibodies directed against a 43-kDa tyrosinase. The observations are consistent with previously proposed maturation and activation models for plant and fungal tyrosinases.

The invention relates to a process to make stabilized PVC wherein use is made of at least one compound of formula (I), wherein M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkali earth metals, Al, and transition elements, and R is selected from the group consisting of substituted, linear or branched, alkyl, cycloalkal, aryl alkaryl, and aralkyl moieties, the substituents comprising at least one or more electron-withdrawing groups, as a color stability booster.

The genome sequence of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, a noncellulolytic solvent-producing strain, predicts the production of various proteins with domains typical for cellulosomal subunits. Most of the genes coding for these proteins are grouped in a cluster similar to that found in cellulolytic clostridial species, such as Clostridium cellulovorans . CAC0916, one of the open reading frames present in the putative cellulosome gene cluster, codes for CelG, a putative endoglucanase belonging to family 9, and it was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli . The overproduced CelG protein was purified by making use of its high affinity for cellulose and was characterized. The biochemical properties of the purified CelG were comparable to those of other known enzymes belonging to the same family. Expression of CelG by C. acetobutylicum grown on different substrates was studied by Western blotting by using antibodies raised against the purified E. coli -produced protein. Whereas the antibodies cross-reacted with CelG-like proteins secreted by cellobiose- or cellulose-grown C. cellulovorans cultures, CelG was not detectable in extracellular medium from C. acetobutylicum grown on cellobiose or glucose. However, notably, when lichenan-grown cultures were used, several bands corresponding to CelG or CelG-like proteins were present, and there was significantly increased extracellular endoglucanase activity.

Deze rapportage beschrijft de uitkomsten van een inventarisatie onder onderzoekers verbonden aan Nederlandse kennisinstellingen. Het doel van de inventarisatie is: 1. Het in kaart brengen van lopend onderzoek, expertise en infrastructuur bij Nederlandse kennisinstellingen op het gebied van biologische waterstof- en methaan productie; 2. Identificatie van de visie van de deelnemende onderzoekers ten aanzien van de potentiële betekenis en toepassingen van biologische H2 en CH4 productieprocessen voor duurzame ontwikkeling; R&D issues en kansrijk geachte onderzoeksrichtingen, en mogelijkheden voor bevordering van de verdere ontwikkeling en praktijk implementatie. Onderzoek en expertise op het gebied van biologische waterstof en methaan productie bij Nederlandse kennisinstellingen staan op een hoog peil. Gezien het vóórkomen van zowel gedeelde als complementaire expertise biedt samenwerking tussen de twee werkgebieden een duidelijke toegevoegde waarde. De meerwaarde voor duurzame ontwikkeling betreft met name: hernieuwbare energieproductie (H2, CH4) uit biomassa- en reststromen, het sluiten van nutriënt en waterkringlopen, en de ontwikkeling van goedkope waterstofkatalysatoren voor brandstofcellen en voor de vervanging van chemische reacties (hydrogenering, ¿water-gas-shift¿) door biologische alternatieven. Belangrijke onderzoeksrichtingen op het gebied van zowel biologische waterstof als methaan productie worden geïdentificeerd. Tevens worden aanbevelingen gedaan voor de bevordering van de verdere ontwikkeling.

In this study the switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a biomass crop being developed in North America and Europe, was tested as a stiffening and reinforcing agent in polypropylene (PP) composites with and without maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) as a compatibiliser and to evaluate the effect of pulping and different sources of switchgrass on composite characteristics. The refiner pulping yield for two switchgrass varieties was estimated between 70¿80&Eth;The addition of 30øby weight) switchgrass pulp resulted in an increase of the flexural modulus by a factor of about 2.5 compared to pure polypropylene. Which was only slightly lower than values found for jute and flax. The flexural strength of PP composites reinforced with pulped switchgrass and MAPP was almost doubled compared to pure PP and approached values found for jute and flax. The compatibilising effect of MAPP has been visualised by micrographs. The good mechanical properties are achieved despite the severe fibre length reduction as a result of thermoplastic compounding which is shown by fibre length analysis. The impact strength of switchgrass/PP composites was much lower than for pure PP. The use of different switchgrass varieties and harvesting time had a minor to no effect on the mechanical performance of the respective composites. The chemical composition of different varieties was fairly constant. The low price and the relatively good mechanical characteristics should make switchgrass an attractive fibre for filling and stiffening in thermoplastic composites. Further improvement of composite mechanical properties should be possible

In dit project is gekeken welke nieuwe mogelijkheden er zijn voor de toepassing van de nevenstromen uit een pluimveeslachterij. Gebleken is dat er verschillende nieuwe Product-Markt-Combinaties (PMC's) geïdentificeerd kunnen worden op basis van de combinatie van de nevenstromen, verwerkingsprocessen en de vraag naar eindproducten met een specifieke eigenschap.

Contains fulltext : 146952.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 151 p.

Eindrapport van het project "Phyllis database uitbreiding met biochemische samenstellingen ten behoeve van de productie van vloeibare en gasvormige brandstoffen"

Lactic acid bacteria display a relatively simple and well-described metabolism where the sugar source is converted mainly to lactic acid. Here we will shortly describe metabolic engineering strategies on the level of sugar metabolism, that lead to either the efficient re-routing of the lactococcal sugar metabolism to nutritional end-products other than lactic acid such as L-alanine, several low-calorie sugars and oligosaccharides or to enhancement of sugar metabolism for complete removal of (undesirable) sugars from food materials. Moreover, we will review current metabolic engineering approaches that aim at increasing the flux through complex biosynthetic pathways, leading to the production of the B-vitamins folate and riboflavin. An overview of these metabolic engineering activities can be found on the website of the Nutra Cells 5th Framework EU-project (www.nutracells.com). Finally, the impact of the developments in the area of genomics and corresponding high-throughput technologies on nutraceutical production will be discussed. Fil: Hugenholtz, Jeroen. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos. NIZO Food Research; Países Bajos Fil: Sybesma, Wilbert. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos Fil: Groot, Masja Nierop. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos Fil: Wisselink, Wouter. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos. ATO-DLO; Países Bajos Fil: Ladero, Victor. Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-neuve, Bel; Bélgica Fil: Burgess, Kay. University College Cork; Irlanda Fil: van Sinderen, Douwe. University College Cork; Irlanda Fil: Piard, Jean-Christophe. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia Fil: Eggink, Gerrit. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos. ATO-DLO; Países Bajos Fil: Smid, Eddy J.. NIZO Food Research; Países Bajos Fil: Savoy, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina Fil: Sesma, Fernando Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina Fil: Jansen, Tanja. NIZO Food Research; Países Bajos Fil: Hols, Pascal. Université Catholique de Louvain; Bélgica Fil: Kleerebezem, Michiel. Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences; Países Bajos. NIZO Food Research; Países Bajos

Diesters of dianhydroglycitols can be prepared by esterification of dianhydroglycitols, anhydroglycitols and/or glycitols with alkylcarboxylic or arylcarboxylic acids in the presence of an acid catalyst, the acid catalyst being a macroporous acid ion exchange resin. If glycitols or monoanhydroglycitols are used as the starting material, the reaction temperature is initially of the order of 120 DEG C. and after the dehydration is approximately 140 DEG C.

Biopolymeren zijn hot. Maar waar hebben we het eigenlijk over als we over biopolymeren praten? Wat kunnen we ermee en wat kunnen we er (nog) niet mee? Wat zijn de uitdagingen? Wat zijn de investeringen die worden gevraagd? En waar kun je als ondernemer terecht als je 'iets' met biopolymeren wilt gaan doen? Vragen die worden beantwoord in onderstaand artikel door Christiaan Bolck. Hij is verbonden aan Wageningen UR Biobased Products en tevens in deeltijd werkzaam als innovatiecoach voor bedrijven bij het DPI Value Centre.

Incorporation of enzymic cascade reactions in a microchannel for org. synthesis can be achieved if spatially controlled immobilization of a series of enzymes is possible. This project attempts positional assembly of enzymes using the inverse phase transition temp. (Tt) of elastin-like proteins (ELPs). Increasing the temp. results in aggregation and assembly of ELPs, which can be very precisely controlled. Protein engineering is used as a method to produce ELPs and their fusion proteins. These fusion proteins can be assembled onto surfaces modified with the complementary ELP, when the surface is heated above Tt. Two elastin variants were constructed that each showed the expected inverse transition behavior. Fusions of these ELPs with fluorescent proteins generated proteins with inverse transition behavior that could be controlled using varying concns. of NaCl. We are currently investigating the possibilities to functionalize microchannels with ELPs to enable positional assembly of proteins.