Dehydration study of apple slices by a non-thermal process.

This study investigated the impacts of a drying process under low temperature and reduced pressure (non-thermal drying) on the final dehydrated products characteristics. This process is based on the retention of water on molecular sieves with a good selectivity against these molecules. In this study, drying experiments of 7mm thick apple slices (AS) were performed and compared to apple slices pretreated by freezing.

Green solid-liquid extraction of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladode dietary fibers. I- optimization, pilot-scale production, and characterization.

In this research work, an optimization of an environment friendly extraction method of cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) cladode dietary fibers was conducted. For this purpose, a central composite experimental design with two factors (temperature and time) and five levels was established. The basic objective of this optimization was to maximize fiber yield using hot water as an extraction eco-solvent.

Dynamics and Kinetics of Cupric Ion Removal from Wastewaters by Tunisian Solid Crude Olive-Oil Waste.

The present paper aims to develop a low cost, efficient, and environmentally-friendly process to purify (industrial) waters contaminated by copper by the use of oil mill wastes, through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium investigations. To do so, the raw adsorbent was characterized using different analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Then, the interaction between copper and olive residues were examined during batch adsorption tests at various operating parameters, such as pH, initial concentration, contact time, and particle size.

Use of green chemistry methods in the extraction of dietary fibers from cactus rackets (Opuntia ficus indica): Structural and microstructural studies.

This work aims to compare the development of three green chemistry methods in the extraction of cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) dietary fibers. The influence of extraction conditions (solvent nature: water, lemon juice and ethanol; extraction process: maceration and steam explosion; extraction time: 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 5 h) on the chemical and structural composition was studied. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy proved that all treatments do not affect the cellulose structure and could induce the reduction of hemicelluloses and lignin content.