title: Environmental Aspects of Proteinous Bioplastic

authors: Hicks, Talia

subjects: bioplastic

abstract: During the processing of Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP), volatile compounds are released which are odourous and potentially harmful. For NTP to be manufactured on a commercial scale the odour that currently arises during production must be minimised.
Literature revealed that blood components are thermally unstable under oxidising conditions and in addition, the presence of iron in bloodmeal, may catalyse the formation of various odourous compounds.
The objectives of this work were to establish an odour profile for bloodmeal and pre-extruded NTP (PNTP) and determine the effect of chemically treating bloodmeal on the resulting odour profile. In addition, the potential for NTP to be degraded by composting and effect of prolonged exposure to UV radiation was investigated.
It was found that the initial odour of bloodmeal was caused by putrefaction during the storage of whole blood prior to drying as well as the formation of other, less odourous, volatile compounds derived from lipids and proteins during drying.
The odour profile of pre-extruded NTP (PNTP) was found to change after chemical treatment of bloodmeal. Chemical treatments successfully minimised or changed the odour of the bloodmeal. Peracetic acid treatment successfully removed the characteristic bloodmeal odour resulting in decolourised bloodmeal with a mild vinegar odour. In general, removing odour from the PNTP could not be achieved without the addition of 10-20 wt% activated carbon or greater than 20 wt% natural zeolite.
Additionally, for NTP to be marketed as biodegradable as well as bio-derived plastic, it must be shown to degrade in the environment at a rate comparable with cellulose. NTP was found to undergo substantial deterioration and polymer degradation within 12 weeks of composting, for plasticised samples up to 47 % dry mass loss was observed. However, exposure to 12 weeks of ultra-violet radiation, lead to embrittlement of the plastic with very little polymer degradation occurring.

text: Environmental Aspects of Proteinous Bioplastic During the processing of Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP), volatile compounds are released which are odourous and potentially harmful. For NTP to be manufactured on a commercial scale the odour that currently arises during production must be minimised.
Literature revealed that blood components are thermally unstable under oxidising conditions and in addition, the presence of iron in bloodmeal, may catalyse the formation of various odourous compounds.
The objectives of this work were to establish an odour profile for bloodmeal and pre-extruded NTP (PNTP) and determine the effect of chemically treating bloodmeal on the resulting odour profile. In addition, the potential for NTP to be degraded by composting and effect of prolonged exposure to UV radiation was investigated.
It was found that the initial odour of bloodmeal was caused by putrefaction during the storage of whole blood prior to drying as well as the formation of other, less odourous, volatile compounds derived from lipids and proteins during drying.
The odour profile of pre-extruded NTP (PNTP) was found to change after chemical treatment of bloodmeal. Chemical treatments successfully minimised or changed the odour of the bloodmeal. Peracetic acid treatment successfully removed the characteristic bloodmeal odour resulting in decolourised bloodmeal with a mild vinegar odour. In general, removing odour from the PNTP could not be achieved without the addition of 10-20 wt% activated carbon or greater than 20 wt% natural zeolite.
Additionally, for NTP to be marketed as biodegradable as well as bio-derived plastic, it must be shown to degrade in the environment at a rate comparable with cellulose. NTP was found to undergo substantial deterioration and polymer degradation within 12 weeks of composting, for plasticised samples up to 47 % dry mass loss was observed. However, exposure to 12 weeks of ultra-violet radiation, lead to embrittlement of the plastic with very little polymer degradation occurring.

year: 2010

title: The alleged absence of ubiquinone from elasmobranchs

authors: Daniel, Roy M.

subjects: Biology

abstract: It has recently been suggested (Diplock & Haslewood, 1964) that certain lower vertebrates such as elasmobranchs and crocodylians are lacking in ubiquinone. Also, in a study of the lesser-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus caniculus) (Class Elasmobranchii, Order Selachii) Diplock & Haslewood (1965) were unable to demonstrate the biosynthesisof ubiquinone. In view of the fact that in all other vertebrate species so far examined the presence of ubiquinone is well authenticated (Crane, 1965), including in such a closely related animal as the shark (Nazir & Magar, 1964), these results seemed somewhat surprising. However, in view of these findings it seemed that a study of the respiratory enzyme systems of these organisms might be worth while. As a preliminary to this work an investigation on the alleged absence of ubiquinone from elasmobranch tissues was carried out.

text: The alleged absence of ubiquinone from elasmobranchs It has recently been suggested (Diplock & Haslewood, 1964) that certain lower vertebrates such as elasmobranchs and crocodylians are lacking in ubiquinone. Also, in a study of the lesser-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus caniculus) (Class Elasmobranchii, Order Selachii) Diplock & Haslewood (1965) were unable to demonstrate the biosynthesisof ubiquinone. In view of the fact that in all other vertebrate species so far examined the presence of ubiquinone is well authenticated (Crane, 1965), including in such a closely related animal as the shark (Nazir & Magar, 1964), these results seemed somewhat surprising. However, in view of these findings it seemed that a study of the respiratory enzyme systems of these organisms might be worth while. As a preliminary to this work an investigation on the alleged absence of ubiquinone from elasmobranch tissues was carried out.

year: 1966

title: Māori Waiata: Discourse structuring, sub-genres and aesthetics

authors: Roa, Raukura

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: With particular reference to a discourse-based analysis of five waiata tangi from Ngāti Hauā, it is argued here that different types of Māori waiata (songs and chants) may be characterised by different types of overall discourse structuring. It is also suggested that discourse structuring may be a significant aspect of the aesthetics of Māori waiata.

text: Māori Waiata: Discourse structuring, sub-genres and aesthetics With particular reference to a discourse-based analysis of five waiata tangi from Ngāti Hauā, it is argued here that different types of Māori waiata (songs and chants) may be characterised by different types of overall discourse structuring. It is also suggested that discourse structuring may be a significant aspect of the aesthetics of Māori waiata.

year: 2004-02