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Most developing countries of the world still uses biomass for domestic energy, this is mostly used in the rural areas and using our case study which is Nigeria and China. We have been able to establish the potential of biomass production energy use by looking at calorific values of some biomass such As-harvested wood, Dry wood, Straw Miscanthus Coal  which was discussed on the introduction part of this thesis.

The growth and physiology of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> GB4918 (baker’s yeast) was studied under glucose-limitation in chemostat culture. Levels of lg/1 (0.1% w /v) glucose allowed cell growth while preventing fermentation in a defined medium (QEMM3). Metabolism of glucose by respiration or fermentation was shown to affect the mean cell volume, with fermentative use of glucose causing an increase in cell size. This was also a major physiological difference between <i>S. cerevisiae </i>GB4918 (a Crabtree positive yeast) and <i>Kliiyveromyces marxianus</i> DBVPG 6165 (a Crabtree negative yeast). The ability of the Crabtree positive yeast to substantially increase its mean cell volume was also reflected in a 5-fold greater consumption of glucose, reduced biomass yield and increased ethanol yield, compared with the Crabtree negative <i>K . marxianus</i>. Growth of both these yeasts was seen in 50g/l glucose in the presence of the respiratory inhibitor, antimycin A. This was evident by the switching to fermentation in <i>K . marxianus</i>, and the complete fermentation of glucose by <i>S. cerevisiae</i>. The growth and physiology of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> GB4918 was also established in glucose-limited chemostat cultures, with special regard to the intracellular macromolecular compounds that are relevant to industrial yeast biomass production. This showed that in respiring cultures of <i>S. cerevisiae</i>, increasing growth rate resulted in decrease in both trehalose and glycogen content, while increasing protein and RNA. This is true until μ_max (in this context the growth rate at which respiro-fermentativemetabolism occurs) when accumulation of trehalose and glycogen is apparent. Once μ_erit (growth rate at which washout of the culture begins) was reached then biomass significantly reduced. In describing the steady-state condition of baker’s yeast it was then possible to describe changes occurring in yeast when subjected to a variety of nutrient perturbations. With a lactic acid (2% v/v) perturbation there were dramatic effects on both growth and metabolism at a growth rate of 0.12h_1, but significant decreases in biomass and protein, and significant increases in trehalose and glycogen. At a higher growth rate (0.22h_1) the effect was much severer on protein content, and on reduced levels of trehalose and glycogen. The effect of perturbing the cultures with elevated levels of calcium was also most significant on reducing yeast trehalose and glycogen levels, probably due to inhibition of the biosynthesis of these compounds. Zinc additions to chemostat cultures acted to increase the levels of protein in the cells,while having little effect on any of the other cellular macromolecules. This suggests that increasing calcium levels during the latter stages of yeast propagations may produce a yeast with reduced stress responses. Increased zinc may also encourage a greater protein content, which would, in turn, provide a better nutritive content for both protein and amino acids in yeasts destined for use as a food additive.

faculty of Science School of Molecular and Cell Biology 9605145v vhaakuria@yahoo.co.uk / Cassava is a food crop planted in many countries in Africa. Its tubers are a major source of food and are processed to produce a variety of food products, one of which is the fermented product called gari. This research report aimed to evaluate the performance of three lactic acid bacteria for several properties with regard to the fermentation of cassava to produce gari. Three organisms were used for the evaluation, namely Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The organisms were evaluated for viability, biomass formation and glucose utilisation in static flasks, biomass formation and glucose utilisation in 2 L fermenters, cell viability after dehydration processes and pH and cyanide reduction in cassava substrate. In static flasks, the organisms were found to retain above 80% cell viability after cryopreservation. Maximum biomass of 108 cells/ml was formed within the first 12 hours by all the organisms. While L. fermentum, depleted glucose within 24 hours, L. plantarum formed the highest biomass of 4 x 108 cells/ml. In 2 L Braunstat B fermenters, a cell count of 109 cells/ml was obtained by L. fermentum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides within 12-15 hours. Biomass formation for L. plantarum during the same period was 1010 cells/ml. Glucose was depleted within 12 - 15 hours. The viability of cells between the dehydration processes of centrifugation, glycerol and maltodextrin addition and lyophilisation, was above 80% for all the organisms. However, this high cell viability was influenced by concentration of cells during the centrifugation step. In cassava substrate, L. fermentum, though heterofermentative, was found to be particularly acid tolerant and reduced pH to 3.98. All the organisms were able to retain good viability after lyophilisation. However, the results of cyanide reduction were inconclusive. These results show that while cultures show promise for pilot scale studies of starter culture development, further cyanide experiments need to be conducted, and synergy between the organisms investigated.

Cover crops play a part in improving sustainability by reducing negative environmental impacts such as soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Energycane could benefit from cover crops due to its row spacing. This study was conducted at the Bearden Dairy Research Center to determine differences in nitrogen accumulation, weed suppression, and energycane yield among treatments. Four cool-season species (planted in the fall of 2020 and 2021) [balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), white clover (T. repens) and winter pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense)], and four warm-season species (planted in the spring of 2021 and 2022 [alfalfa (Medicago sativa), alyceclover (Alysicarpus vaginalis), soybean (Glycine max), and sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea)] plus negative and positive controls (0 and 168 kg N ha-1) were used. Regarding cool-season cover crops, significant differences were seen in all previously mentioned metrics. Warm-season cover crops only showed differences regarding nitrogen accumulation and weed suppression abilities.

This study examined the demography of giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus) and its interactions with understorey algae and invertebrates in southern New Zealand over two and a half years. Most of the study was done at two sites within Akaroa Harbour (Banks Peninsula) but ancillary sites at Tory Channel (Marlborough Sounds) were used for parts of the study. The kelp forests within Akaroa Harbour were generally highly productive, with a high annual turnover of giant kelp. Macrocystis plants were mostly annual and rarely reached ages greater than 12 months. Peak recruitment occurred in spring (November) during 1995-97, but lesser recruitment episodes occurred throughout the year. The maximum growth rates of Macrocystis fronds were comparable to rates reported elsewhere in southern hemisphere populations (22 mm - 24.5 mmlday), but considerably lower than those in northern hemisphere populations. The major experiment incorporated in the study tested the effects of the Macrocystis canopy and the understorey canopy of the stipitate laminarian Ecklonia radiata on macroalgae and invertebrates. The experiment was structured so that the effects of clearances at different times could be determined. One impetus for this experiment was the need to address issues relating to the commercial harvesting of giant kelp, its sustainability and its effects on other species. The effects of canopy removals on understorey algae, mostly juvenile Macrocystis, Ecklonia and Carpophyllum spp, were highly dependent on the timing of canopy removals and the combinations of canopies removed. For example, winter harvests of the Macrocystis canopy alone enhanced the survival of post-settlement Macrocystis recruits, but had little effect on Ecklonia recruitment. However, when both Macrocystis and Ecklonia canopies were removed in spring, there was heavy recruitment of Ecklonia that grew to dominate the understorey. Strong inter and intraspecific interactions from the Macrocystis surface canopy appeared to have been reduced by physical factors including water turbidity, sedimentation and the deterioration of the surface canopy during summer. These physical factors were not as limiting in Tory Channel. Fine scale extrinsic factor effects including nutrients, light and grazing on the early life history of Macrocystis were investigated in small experiments. Results suggest that recruitment may be nutrient limited even at moderately low temperatures, and that small herbivorous gastropods are an important source of mortality in the early life stages of Macrocystis. Culturing and transplantation cultivation techniques were also examined as a means of supplementing algal supplies. Macrocystis was cultured successfully through its life cycle onto culture ropes, but generally failed to produce visible sporophytes when placed in the field. Cultured plants did grow in Tory Channel, however. Juvenile plants transplanted to ropes for on-farm cultivation showed little growth during summer, but the addition of nutrients significantly enhanced growth rates of these plants during warmer months when natural nutrient levels were low. Increased growth rates at the onset of winter and with the addition of nutrients during summer confirmed that low nutrient levels during summer are growth limiting. Akaroa Harbour kelp forests exhibited considerable variation in Macrocystis canopy biomass through time. For example, the 32,000 m2 kelp forest at Wainui had a biomass of 144 t in October 1995, which then decreased to 21 t in October 1996. Canopies tended to deteriorate during summer. Thus, at Ohinepaka Bay kelp forest had a biomass of 31 t during winter 1997, which decreased to 0.06 t the following summer. The greatest reduction in biomass, however, coincided with a period of hugely increased sediment, which smothered blades in the sea-surface canopy, covered the substratum, and prevented successful recruitment of kelp for over a year. Nutrient depletion was one of several factors thought to cause the summer deterioration of the Macrocystis sea-surface canopy, which has important ramifications for the commercial harvesting of Macrocystis pyrifera in summer. Management considerations and options are discussed in relation the commercial harvesting of Macrocystis in New Zealand. The major conclusion of this study is that although Macrocystis was able to form dense surface canopies during winter its ability to dominate kelp forests was constrained by physical factors, especially sedimentation, high turbidity, nutrients, and storms. The lack of strong interactions between Macrocystis and Ecklonia are also largely a result of their different life history characteristics. Overall, there appear to be no significant negative flow-on effects resulting from kelp harvesting and it appears that Macrocystis can be harvested sustainably.

This study examined the demography of giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus) and its interactions with understorey algae and invertebrates in southern New Zealand over two and a half years. Most of the study was done at two sites within Akaroa Harbour (Banks Peninsula) but ancillary sites at Tory Channel (Marlborough Sounds) were used for parts of the study. The kelp forests within Akaroa Harbour were generally highly productive, with a high annual turnover of giant kelp. Macrocystis plants were mostly annual and rarely reached ages greater than 12 months. Peak recruitment occurred in spring (November) during 1995-97, but lesser recruitment episodes occurred throughout the year. The maximum growth rates of Macrocystis fronds were comparable to rates reported elsewhere in southern hemisphere populations (22 mm - 24.5 mmlday), but considerably lower than those in northern hemisphere populations. The major experiment incorporated in the study tested the effects of the Macrocystis canopy and the understorey canopy of the stipitate laminarian Ecklonia radiata on macroalgae and invertebrates. The experiment was structured so that the effects of clearances at different times could be determined. One impetus for this experiment was the need to address issues relating to the commercial harvesting of giant kelp, its sustainability and its effects on other species. The effects of canopy removals on understorey algae, mostly juvenile Macrocystis, Ecklonia and Carpophyllum spp, were highly dependent on the timing of canopy removals and the combinations of canopies removed. For example, winter harvests of the Macrocystis canopy alone enhanced the survival of post-settlement Macrocystis recruits, but had little effect on Ecklonia recruitment. However, when both Macrocystis and Ecklonia canopies were removed in spring, there was heavy recruitment of Ecklonia that grew to dominate the understorey. Strong inter and intraspecific interactions from the Macrocystis surface canopy appeared to have been reduced by physical factors including water turbidity, sedimentation and the deterioration of the surface canopy during summer. These physical factors were not as limiting in Tory Channel. Fine scale extrinsic factor effects including nutrients, light and grazing on the early life history of Macrocystis were investigated in small experiments. Results suggest that recruitment may be nutrient limited even at moderately low temperatures, and that small herbivorous gastropods are an important source of mortality in the early life stages of Macrocystis. Culturing and transplantation cultivation techniques were also examined as a means of supplementing algal supplies. Macrocystis was cultured successfully through its life cycle onto culture ropes, but generally failed to produce visible sporophytes when placed in the field. Cultured plants did grow in Tory Channel, however. Juvenile plants transplanted to ropes for on-farm cultivation showed little growth during summer, but the addition of nutrients significantly enhanced growth rates of these plants during warmer months when natural nutrient levels were low. Increased growth rates at the onset of winter and with the addition of nutrients during summer confirmed that low nutrient levels during summer are growth limiting. Akaroa Harbour kelp forests exhibited considerable variation in Macrocystis canopy biomass through time. For example, the 32,000 m2 kelp forest at Wainui had a biomass of 144 t in October 1995, which then decreased to 21 t in October 1996. Canopies tended to deteriorate during summer. Thus, at Ohinepaka Bay kelp forest had a biomass of 31 t during winter 1997, which decreased to 0.06 t the following summer. The greatest reduction in biomass, however, coincided with a period of hugely increased sediment, which smothered blades in the sea-surface canopy, covered the substratum, and prevented successful recruitment of kelp for over a year. Nutrient depletion was one of several factors thought to cause the summer deterioration of the Macrocystis sea-surface canopy, which has important ramifications for the commercial harvesting of Macrocystis pyrifera in summer. Management considerations and options are discussed in relation the commercial harvesting of Macrocystis in New Zealand. The major conclusion of this study is that although Macrocystis was able to form dense surface canopies during winter its ability to dominate kelp forests was constrained by physical factors, especially sedimentation, high turbidity, nutrients, and storms. The lack of strong interactions between Macrocystis and Ecklonia are also largely a result of their different life history characteristics. Overall, there appear to be no significant negative flow-on effects resulting from kelp harvesting and it appears that Macrocystis can be harvested sustainably.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21141号 / 農博第2267号 / 新制||農||1058(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H30||N5115(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科農学専攻 / (主査)教授 白岩 立彦, 教授 稲村 達也, 教授 縄田 栄治 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

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Particleboard was invented to increase the utilization of wood and it soon became an important core material for furniture production. Nowadays, other industries such as the pulp and papermaking industry and the thermal energy recovery industry claim the same type of raw material. This leads to increasing competition and higher prices than in the past when that kind of wood raw material was widely available and of low price. The particleboard-producing industry is therefore seeking opportunities to reduce the competition and ensure the future supply of lignocellulosic raw material for their products. The purpose of the work summarised in this thesis was to investigate the strategic supply of lignocellulosic raw materials for particleboard production and to evaluate alternatives for the supply of lignocellulosic raw material for particleboard production. To encompass the complex field of strategic raw material supply, several publications have considered different stages along the supply chain. These papers range from empirical studies to practical tests on a laboratory scale. In this thesis, some of the papers are linked together, building the base for the overall results. The results show that the task of increasing the supply of lignocellulosic raw material as primary raw material source is limited by several factors, but that improved product design coupled with a suitable recycling concept can greatly increase the availability of lignocellulosic raw material as a secondary source. Alternatively, the use of non-wood plants might be an opportunity to substitute wood as raw material but there are still some problems relating to the particle properties which must be overcome first.