Efficient synthesis of lactic acid from cellulose through the synergistic effect of zinc chloride hydrate and metal salts.

The chemocatalystic conversion of cellulose, the main component of lignocellulosic biomass, to building-block chemicals in water under mild conditions, is an ideal but highly challenging process due to the robust crystal structure of cellulose. It is also the key to establishing a sustainable biomass-based chemical process. Here, we present a highly efficient and selective chemocatalytic hydrolysis of cellulose using ZnCl·3HO hydrate as the pretreatment reagent and water-compatible metal salts - ErCl as the catalyst, into lactic acid (LA), which is an important chemical building-block widely utilized in the food industry and in the production of chemicals and biodegradable plastic.

Engineering Corynebacterium glutamicum for de novo production of 2-phenylethanol from lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate.

Background: 2-Phenylethanol is a specific aromatic alcohol with a rose-like smell, which has been widely used in the cosmetic and food industries. At present, 2-phenylethanol is mainly produced by chemical synthesis. The preference of consumers for "natural" products and the demand for environmental-friendly processes have promoted biotechnological processes for 2-phenylethanol production.

Stabilization and Reinforcement Effect of Fibers on a Bitumen Binder.

This study investigated fibers' stabilization and reinforcement effect on a bitumen binder. The fibers' microstructures were primarily observed using scanning electron microscopy, and laboratory tests, including the oven heating and mesh-basket draindown, were designed and carried out on three different fiber-bitumen binders (lignin, mineral, and carbon fiber) in this paper to evaluate the bitumen adsorption and thermal stability, respectively. Then, the cone sink experiment was performed to check the rheological properties of these fiber-bitumen binders.

Effects of Fiber Type on the Mechanical Properties of the Open-Graded Friction Course Mixture.

The open-graded friction courses (OGFCs) have a large number of interconnected voids, which may cause serious water damage to the pavement. Hence, the road performance needs to be investigated. In this study, the mechanical properties of OGFCs containing two different fibers (lignin and mineral fiber) were investigated.

Iridoid Glycosides and Flavonoids Isolated from the Twigs and Leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

A new iridoid glycoside, named 6'-O-trans-feruloyl-8-epiloganic acid, together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora, a traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory-related diseases. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. Bioassay results revealed that twelve of the isolates could obviously inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.

Effect of Fibers on the Performance of a Porous Friction Course.

In this paper, the preparation of a porous friction course (PFC) with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt and fibers instead of a high-viscosity-modified asphalt was investigated. The aggregate gradation B was chosen to prepare the PFC, and the optimal asphalt content in the PFC containing lignin or basalt fibers was determined to be 4.5% by the Cantabro abrasion experiment and Schellenberg draindown experiment.

Characterization of Limonoids Isolated from the Fruits of Melia toosendan and Their Antifeedant Activity against Pieris rapae.

The fruits of Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc. (Meliaceae) are a source of bioactive limonoids that can be used as effective pesticides.