Comparison of laboratory delignification methods, their selectivity, and impacts on physiochemical characteristics of cellulosic biomass.

Two established delignification methods employing sodium chlorite-acetic acid (SC/AA) and peracetic acid (PAA) are often used, and are reportedly highly selective. However, these reports are mostly for highly recalcitrant and unpretreated softwoods and hardwoods species, and information for less recalcitrant lignocellulosic feedstocks and pretreated biomass is scarce. Furthermore, the effects on cellulose structure are not documented.

Effect of acid-chlorite delignification on cellulose degree of polymerization.

Two types of pure cellulose, Avicel PH-101 and Whatman filter paper, were treated with an acid-chlorite delignification procedure in the presence of varying amounts of incorporated lignin, and the molecular weight distributions and degrees of polymerization (DP) of derivatized cellulose were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Avicel samples with 0% added lignin showed a DP reduction of nearly 5% during acid-chlorite delignification, compared to a 1% drop in DP with 30% added lignin. Lignin-free filter paper samples showed a DP reduction of nearly 35% after hollocellulose delignification.

Estradiol valerate and intake of sweetened water.

Recently, it has been shown that female rats receiving very large doses (e.g., 2 mg) of estradiol valerate (EV) take considerably more alcoholic beverage than placebo controls.

A pharmacological dose of estradiol can enhance appetites for alcoholic beverages.

Each of 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 2 mg of estradiol valerate (EV), 30 others were given placebos. EV is a preparation that delivers estradiol for more than 12 days, but probably less than 20. Fifteen days later, the females had the opportunity to take sweetened alcoholic beverage 24 h a day across 25 days.

One injection of estradiol valerate induces dramatic changes in rats' intake of alcoholic beverages.

A series of experiments investigated the effects of a single injection of estradiol valerate (EV) on female rats' consumption of alcoholic beverages. EV provides sustained release of estradiol. Just after an injection of EV, rats' intake of a palatable alcoholic beverage, which had been taken regularly before, is reduced dramatically.