Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-08-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:55:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 almeida_aps_me_araca.pdf: 933088 bytes, checksum: 66f57629124cdebcfa4b653eca08077f (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incorporação de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA) na carne de frango com a utilização de ração enriquecida com óleo de soja e óleo de linhaça, associados a diferentes níveis de vitamina E. A inclusão de óleo de linhaça, substituindo o óleo de soja em diferentes proporções, e de vitamina E até o nível de 400 mg/kg de ração, não interferiu, de forma geral, nas características de desempenho e de composição de carcaça de frangos de corte da linhagem Cobb. O sexo das aves, por outro lado, influenciou significativamente essas características. Os machos apresentaram, em termos gerais, melhor desempenho produtivo que as fêmeas, com maior consumo de ração e ganho de peso e melhor conversão alimentar. As fêmeas apresentaram maior porcentagem de peito e menor porcentagem de coxa e sobrecoxa que os machos. Com relação às características da carne, o sexo e a fonte de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e os níveis de vitamina E da ração não apresentaram influência no teor de lipídeos totais, na textura e na perda de peso no cozimento. A adição de linhaça na dieta também não modificou o padrão de ácidos graxos, nem o teor de colesterol da carne. Os machos apresentaram maior proporção de PUFA que as fêmeas nos dois cortes analisados. Com relação ao teor de colesterol total, as amostras de peito provenientes dos machos apresentaram médias mais elevadas em relação às das fêmeas. A inclusão de 200mg/kg de vitamina E na ração foram suficientes para impedir a rancidez oxidativa nas amostras de coxa e sobrecoxa com pele, estocadas a -25ºC por 45 dias. / The aim of this work was to evaluate the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in broilers meat using soy and linseed oil enriched rations and different levels of vitamin E. The inclusion of different percentages of linseed oil instead of soy oil and vitamin E until 400 mg/kg in the diets did not interfere in overall performance or composition characteristics of Cobb broilers carcasses. On the other hand, broilers` sexes influenced these characteristics. Male broilers consumed more ration, had higher weight gains and better feed conversions than female broilers. Female broilers had higher breast percentages and lower leg percentages than male broilers. Sex, source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E level did not influence total fat content of meat, texture and loose of weight after cooking. The inclusion of linseed oil in the diet did not cause any modification on meat fatty acids composition or total cholesterol content. Male broilers breast and leg samples had higher PUFA content than female broilers. Male broilers had higher cholesterol contents than female broilers in breast cuts. Vitamin E at 200 mg/kg was enough to prevent oxidative rancidity in leg samples frozen at -25ºC for 45 days.

Orientador: Marcos Franke Pinto / Banca: Manoel Garcia Neto / Banca: Massami Shimokomaki / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incorporação de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA) na carne de frango com a utilização de ração enriquecida com óleo de soja e óleo de linhaça, associados a diferentes níveis de vitamina E. A inclusão de óleo de linhaça, substituindo o óleo de soja em diferentes proporções, e de vitamina E até o nível de 400 mg/kg de ração, não interferiu, de forma geral, nas características de desempenho e de composição de carcaça de frangos de corte da linhagem Cobb. O sexo das aves, por outro lado, influenciou significativamente essas características. Os machos apresentaram, em termos gerais, melhor desempenho produtivo que as fêmeas, com maior consumo de ração e ganho de peso e melhor conversão alimentar. As fêmeas apresentaram maior porcentagem de peito e menor porcentagem de coxa e sobrecoxa que os machos. Com relação às características da carne, o sexo e a fonte de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e os níveis de vitamina E da ração não apresentaram influência no teor de lipídeos totais, na textura e na perda de peso no cozimento. A adição de linhaça na dieta também não modificou o padrão de ácidos graxos, nem o teor de colesterol da carne. Os machos apresentaram maior proporção de PUFA que as fêmeas nos dois cortes analisados. Com relação ao teor de colesterol total, as amostras de peito provenientes dos machos apresentaram médias mais elevadas em relação às das fêmeas. A inclusão de 200mg/kg de vitamina E na ração foram suficientes para impedir a rancidez oxidativa nas amostras de coxa e sobrecoxa com pele, estocadas a -25ºC por 45 dias. / Abstract: The aim of this work was to evaluate the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in broilers meat using soy and linseed oil enriched rations and different levels of vitamin E. The inclusion of different percentages of linseed oil instead of soy oil and vitamin E until 400 mg/kg in the diets did not interfere in overall performance or composition characteristics of Cobb broilers carcasses. On the other hand, broilers' sexes influenced these characteristics. Male broilers consumed more ration, had higher weight gains and better feed conversions than female broilers. Female broilers had higher breast percentages and lower leg percentages than male broilers. Sex, source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E level did not influence total fat content of meat, texture and loose of weight after cooking. The inclusion of linseed oil in the diet did not cause any modification on meat fatty acids composition or total cholesterol content. Male broilers breast and leg samples had higher PUFA content than female broilers. Male broilers had higher cholesterol contents than female broilers in breast cuts. Vitamin E at 200 mg/kg was enough to prevent oxidative rancidity in leg samples frozen at -25ºC for 45 days. / Mestre

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse, réalisé dans le cadre de la Chaire Industrielle Bioplastiques financée par Mines ParisTech et Arkema, l'Oreal, Nestle, PSA et Schneider Electric, est de fournir une étude systématique sur les relations entre les conditions opératoires du procédé de compoundage et la structure de biocomposites polypropylène/fibres lin et Tencel®. En particulier, le comportement et la rupture des fibres ont été étudiés de manière détaillée pendant la mise en œuvre à l'état fondu en mélangeur interne et par extrusion bivis.Les fibres ont été observées in-situ en écoulement dans la matrice grâce à un système rhéo-optique. Ainsi, il a été montré que la décohésion des faisceaux de lin est facilitée par un rapport de forme initial plus grand. La fragmentation des fibres résulte d'un phénomène de fatigue et est provoquée par l'accumulation des déformations et de l'énergie mécanique. Au niveau de leur point de rupture, les fibres de lin et de Tencel® se déchirent et fibrillent, alors que les fibres élémentaires de lin cassent près de leurs « genoux ». Des analyses de distributions de tailles des fibres après compoundage avec la matrice ont corroboré les observations rhéo-optiques. Lorsque les conditions de mélange sont sévères, chaque « genou » devient un point de rupture et la longueur finale des fibres de lin se retrouve être égale à la longueur moyenne entre les « genoux ». Les faisceaux de lin initialement plus courts ne se dissocient et ne se fragmentent que très peu. La rupture des fibres de lin est différente en fonction de leur taille initiale et ces fibres ne conduisent pas au même comportement rhéologique pour les composites. En revanche, pour les fibres unitaires Tencel®, la taille initiale n'a que très peu d'influence sur leurs dimensions finales, à condition que les fibres ne soient pas trop longues et trop difficiles à disperser. Le temps de mélange est apparu déterminant pour préserver le rapport de forme des fibres. La déformation cumulée s'est révélée être un meilleur paramètre que l'énergie mécanique spécifique pour décrire à la fois la rupture des fibres de lin et de Tencel®. Les propriétés mécaniques en traction uniaxiale ont enfin été caractérisées et mises en relation avec les conditions de mélange et les dimensions finales des fibres. / The objective of this work, performed in the frame of the Industrial Chair in Bioplastics, financed by Mines ParisTech and Arkema, l'Oreal, Nestle, PSA and Schneider Electric, is to provide a systematic study of the relationships between the compounding conditions and the structure of biocomposites based on polypropylene/ flax and Tencel® fibres. In particular, the behaviour and the rupture of fibres were studied in detail during melt processing in an internal mixer and a twin screw extruder.The fibres were observed in situ during shear flow in a matrix by rheo-optics. The decohesion of flax bundles was shown to be made easier for fibres with higher initial aspect ratio. The fibres fragmentation occured by fatigue and is caused by an accumulation of strain and mechanical energy. At the breaking point, flax and Tencel® fibres are tearing and fibrillating, whereas elementary flax fibres break at “kink bands”. The analysis of fibres size distributions after compounding has corroborated rheo-optical observations. When processing conditions are severe, each “kink band” becomes a breaking point, and the final fibres length is equal to the mean length between two “kind bands”. The short flax bundles dissociate and break up less after compounding as compared to long bundles. As a result, the rheological properties of composites are different. The initial size of Tencel® fibres has almost no effect on fibre final dimensions, provided that they are not too long and thus do not make agglomerates. The mixing time seems to be decisive to preserve fibres aspect ratio. The cumulative strain was shown to be a better parameter than specific mechanical energy to describe fibres rupture for both Tencel® and flax fibres. Uniaxial tensile properties were characterized and correlated to the processing conditions and to final dimensions of fibres.

Les travux de thèse ont été menés dans un contexte de développement et de valorisation de la filière lin au travers de l'élaboration de nouveaux matériaux composites biosourcés à base de mucilage et de fibres de lin. Ces travaux ont conduit dans un premier temps à la synthèse de précurseurs d'isosorbide époxy et polyuréthanes comme alternative aux précurseurs toxiques conventionnels. Pour cela nous avons proposé une voie originale d'optimisation de la synthèse de diglycidyle éther d'isosorbide (DGEI) en utilisant un procédé ultrasonique. Par la suite, la comparaison des méthodes de transformation des époxys en carbonates cycliques par l'inclusion de CO₂ nous a servi de base dans l'élaboration d'un protocole efficace de conversion des DGEI en cyclocarbonates d'isosorbide (CCI) dans des conditions douces de pression et de température. Dans une seconde partie, l'extraction de composés hydrosolubles de la graine de lin a permis d'identifier la structure complexe du mucilage et les effets des paramètres d'extraction sur les propriétés physico-chimiques et thermiques du mucilage. Ensuite, pour la première fois, l'oxydation du mucilage au 2,2,6,6-tétraméthylpipéridine-1-oxyle (TEMPO) a été réalisée avec succès. Puis, nous avons pu mettre en évidence l'efficience de l'oxydation assistée par ultrasons comparée à la méthode classique lors de la montée en échelle du procédé. En vue d'améliorer la compatibilité fibre/matrice des composites à fibres végétales, des traitements appliqués sur des fibres courtes de lin ont été effectués amenant à l'individualisation des fibres et à l'amélioration de l'oxydation appliquée sur des fibres sonifiées. Ces différents matériaux ont permis de formuler un panel de nouveaux biocomposites. Les DGEI ont été valorisés par la confection d'une résine réticulée par une amine renforcée par des fibres longues de lin dont les performances sont identiques aux composites pétro-sourcés. Par la suite, la sonicationdes fibres courtes de lin a mené à l'amélioration des propriétés mécaniques de composite PLA/Lin. L'utilisation de mucilage oxydé a démontré les aspects positifs de l'incorporation du mucilage de lin dans les composites légers et résistants en compression. / The thesis was carried out in a context of development and valorisation of the flax through the conception of new bio-based composite materials made of mucilage and flax fibres. This work initially led to the synthesis of isosorbide epoxy and polyurethane precursors as an alternative to the conventional toxic precursors. For this, we proposed an original route for optimizing the synthesis of isosorbide diglycidyl ether (DGEI) using an ultrasonic process. Subsequently, the comparison of the conversion methods of epoxies into cyclic carbonates by the inclusion of CO₂ served as a basis for the development of an efficient protocol for converting DGEI into isosorbide cyclic carbonates (CCI) under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure. In the second part, the extraction of water-soluble compounds from the flaxseed allowed us to identify the complex structure of the mucilage and the effects of the extraction parameters on its physicochemical and thermal properties. Then, for the first time, oxidation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mucilage was successfully performed. After that, we have highlighted the enhanced efficiency of ultrasonic assisted oxidation over the conventional method when scaling up the process. In order to improve the fibre/matrix compatibility of natural fibre-based composites, different treatments of short flax fibres led to the individualizationof the fibres and to the improvement of the oxidation of sonicated fibres.These new materials allowed to formulate a series of novel biocomposites. The DGEI have been enhanced by making an amine-crosslinked resin reinforced with long flax fibres which have a comparable performance to oil-based composites. Additionally, the sonication of short flax fibres led to the improvement of the mechanical properties of PLA/Flax composite. The use of oxidized mucilage has demonstrated the beneficial aspects of flax mucilage incorporation into lightweight, compression-resistant composites.

Seeds sown in the fall to restore sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) steppe plant communities could experience high mortality when they germinate and seedlings freeze during the winter. Delaying germination until the risk of frost is past could increase seedling survival. We evaluated the use of abscisic acid (ABA) to delay germination of Elymus elymoides, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Linum perenne. The following treatments were applied: uncoated seed, seed coated with ABA at 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, 13.2, and 17.6 g of active ingredient kg-1 of seed, and seed coated with no ABA. The influence of seed treatments on germination were tested at five different incubation temperatures (5-25°C). The lowest application rate of ABA had no significant influence on germination percentage but higher application rates showed a decline. All concentrations of ABA tested delayed germination, especially at low incubation temperatures. For example, the time required for 50% of the seeds to germinate at 5°C was increased with the use of the lowest ABA application rate by 56, 61, and 14 days, for E. elymoides, P. spicata, and L. perenne, respectively. Quadratic thermal accumulation regression models were developed for each species and treatment to predict progress toward germination. For the two grasses, models had sufficient accuracy (R2 = 0.61- 0.97) to predict germination timing using field seedbed temperatures. Equations for L. perenne were less accurate (R2 = 0.03-0.70). Use of these models will allow testing whether ABA will delay germination sufficiently to avoid winter frost periods and provide the basis for future field tests.

L’objectif de cette thèse est, d’une part, l’optimisation de la mise en œuvre des matériaux composites àtravers l’étude du comportement des renforts secs en compaction et, d’autre part, le développement et lacaractérisation de matériaux composites stratifiés hybrides renforcés par des fibres de carbone et de lin.Durant la mise en œuvre de ces composites, les renforts sont soumis à un phénomène appelé compactiontransverse. La compréhension de ce mécanisme est importante pour l’amélioration de la mise en œuvre.La connaissance de la capacité de compaction des renforts secs sert également à la prédiction du taux defibres ainsi que de l’épaisseur de la pièce composite finale. Des essais de compaction réalisés sur douzerenforts présentant de différentes solutions techniques ont montré que la capacité de compaction d’unrenfort sec est influencée par plusieurs facteurs. Les résultats obtenus de ce travail portant essentiellementsur les renforts à fibres naturelles (lin) ont montré que ces types de renforts se compactent moinsbien que les renforts à fibres synthétiques (carbone, verre). Ainsi, pour pouvoir améliorer la capacité decompaction de ces renforts naturels, il faut choisir ceux dont le grammage est important, ceux dont lesmèches sont en fibre et non en fil, ceux qui sont unidirectionnels (ou quasi UD) plutôt que des tissés oudes bi-biais. De plus, il faut privilégier les séquences à plusieurs plis aux séquences mono-plis.Face à un fort besoin d’allègement des structures, les matériaux composites sont de plus en plus recherchésdans le secteur industriel notamment dans le domaine des transports. Cependant, les matériaux compositescomme tout autre matériau, en plus d’être mécaniquement performant, doivent remplir d’autresfonctions comme l’amortissement de chocs et de vibrations pour une bonne tenue en service. Pour remplircette double exigence, une des solutions est d’utiliser la technique d’hybridation qui consiste à utiliserau sein d’un même composite des fibres naturelles et synthétiques à la fois afin d’exploiter leursatouts respectifs. Respectivement en raison de leur rigidité et de leur pouvoir amortissant, les fibres decarbone et de lin ont été choisies dans le cadre de cette thèse. La caractérisation des plaques stratifiéesfabriquées en infusion de résine montre que le composite carbone a de meilleures propriétés mécaniqueset microstructurales tandis que le composite lin propose des propriétés amortissantes très intéressantes.Les résultats montrent que l’hybridation du lin avec du carbone permet d’améliorer considérablement lesfaibles propriétés mécaniques du composite lin et les mauvaises propriétés amortissantes du compositecarbone. La séquence d’empilement des couches a une influence significative sur le comportement et lespropriétés des stratifiés hybrides. Nos résultats ont montré que pour avoir une meilleure microstructureles couches de carbone doivent être disposées à l’extérieur. Cette façon d’hybrider permet égalementd’obtenir de meilleures propriétés en flexion et en choc. En revanche, lorsque les couches de lin sontplacées à l’extérieur, le composite hybride a une meilleure capacité d’amortissement. Cette séquenced’empilement garantit aussi une meilleure résistance en indentation. Ainsi, la séquence d’empilementhybride à choisir dépendra du besoin que l’on cherche à satisfaire.Enfin, grâce à une analyse basée sur la théorie classique des stratifiés, il a été démontré dans cette thèsequ’on peut dimensionner des composites stratifiés hybrides malgré que les couches constitutives soientde différente nature avec des propriétés dissemblables. / The goal of this thesis is, on the one hand, the optimization of the manufacturing of composite materials through the study of the behavior of dry fibrous reinforcements in compaction and, on the other hand, the development and characterization of hybrid composite laminates reinforced with carbon and flax fibers. During the manufacturing process of these composites, the reinforcements are subjected to a phenomenon called transverse compaction. Understanding this mechanism is important for improving the manufacturing process. Knowledge of the compaction capacity of the dry reinforcements also serves to predict the fiber content as well as the thickness of the final composite part. Compaction tests carried out on twelve reinforcements presenting different technical solutions have shown that the compaction capacity of a dry reinforcement is influenced by several factors. The results obtained from this work, which focuses on natural fiber reinforcements (flax), have shown that these types of reinforcement are less compactable than synthetic fiber reinforcements (carbon, glass). Thus, to be able to improve the compaction capacity of these natural reinforcements, it is necessary to choose those whose area density is important, those whose tows are in fiber not in yarn, those which are unidirectional (or quasi UD) rather than woven or bi-bias. In addition, it is necessary to choose a multi-ply sequence rather than single-ply sequence. Faced with a strong need for lightening structures, composite materials are increasingly sought in the industrial sector, particularly in the transport sector. However, composite materials like any other material, in addition to being mechanically efficient, must perform other functions such as damping shock and vibration for good performance in service. To meet this double requirement, one of the solutions is to use the hybridization technique which consists in using within the same composite natural and synthetic fibers at the same time in order to exploit their respective advantages. Respectively because of their rigidity and their damping capacity, the carbon and flax fibers were chosen in the context of this thesis. The characterization of the laminate composite plates manufactured with resin infusion process shows that the carbon composite has better mechanical and microstructural properties while the flax composite offers very interesting damping properties. The results show that hybridization of flax with carbon considerably improves the low mechanical properties of the flax composite and the poor damping properties of the carbon composite. The stacking sequence of layers has a significant influence on the behavior and properties of the hybrid laminates. Our results showed that to have a better microstructure the carbon layers must be put outside. This way of hybridizing also makes it possible to obtain better properties in flexion and shock. By contrast, when the flax layers are placed outside, the hybrid composite has a better damping capacity. This stacking sequence also guarantees a better indentation strength. Thus, the hybrid stacking sequence to choose will depend on the need that is sought to meet. Finally, thanks to an analysis based on classical laminate theory, it has been demonstrated in this thesis that hybrid composite laminates can be dimensioned despite the fact that the constituent layers are of different types with dissimilar properties.

Les enjeux économiques liés à la hausse des coûts des ressources fossiles, leur raréfaction, et les impacts environnementaux inhérents à leur fabrication et à leur utilisation, conduisent les acteurs de la construction à s’orienter vers des matériaux biosourcés. Les ressources issues de la biomasse sont alors au premier plan, celles agricoles notamment, dont les fibres provenant des tiges des plantes. Parmi ces fibres, le lin se démarque en raison de ses propriétés mécaniques élevées et sa faible densité, et sa disponibilité en Normandie. L’objectif de cette étude est de développer un matériau composite innovant par l’association des fibres de lin à une matrice cimentaire, qui sera utilisé dans des procédés de construction préfabriquée. Après la caractérisation fine des constituants de départ, nous avons d’abord décrit en détail l’élaboration des mortiers et bétons biofibrés avec un focus sur la méthodologie de formulation. Puis nous avons analysé l’influence de l’incorporation des fibres de lin sur les propriétés rhéologiques (air occlus, consistance, ouvrabilité et fluidité) et physico-chimiques (pH, ATG). Les propriétés physiques (porosité, module d’élasticité) et mécaniques (contraintes à la rupture, indice de ténacité) ont été mesurées par des essais de flexion et de compression à l’état durci. Ces résultats montrent nettement que la présence des fibres de lin réduit de façon importante les propriétés technologiques des pâtes cimentaires, du fait la sensibilité des fibres au milieu très alcalin et de leur caractère fortement hydrophile. Bien que les traitements de surface des fibres expérimentés (plasma atmosphérique, enrobage coulis de ciment et laitier de hauts fourneaux ou à l’huile de lin) aient permis d’améliorer certaines propriétés des mortiers, ils n’ont pas permis de réduire dans le temps la dégradation des fibres au sein de la matrice cimentaire (hydrolyse alcaline des fibres et leur minéralisation sous l’action de l’hydroxyde de calcium). Il apparaît donc nécessaire de recourir à des liants alternatifs pour tenter d’améliorer la durabilité de ces biocomposites à fibres végétales. Ainsi, de nouvelles formulations de mortiers et bétons sont proposées, dans lesquelles le ciment Portland est remplacé partiellement par le métakaolin / le laitier de hauts fourneaux ou totalement par un ciment sulfo-alumineux, sans préjudices pour le comportement rhéologique. L’étude des nouveaux composites formulés avec le métakaolin ou le ciment sulfo-alumineux indique des niveaux de résistance mécanique et de ténacité élevés. Leurs résistances au gel supérieures au béton classique ou celui incorporant des fibres de verre tient à la forte teneur en air (les fibres jouent un rôle d’agent entraîneur d’air). / The economic issues linked to the rising costs of fossil resources, their scarcity, and the environmental impacts inherent in their manufacture and use, are leading the construction industry to move towards bio-based materials. The resources from biomass are then in the foreground, especially agricultural ones, including fibres from plants stems. Among these fibres, flax stands out because of its high mechanical properties and low density, and its availability in Normandy. The objective of this study is to develop an innovative composite material by combining flax fibres with a cement matrix, which will be used in prefabricated construction processes. After the fine characterization of the initial constituents, we first described in detail the development of plant fibre-reinforced mortars and concretes with a focus on the formulation methodology. Then we analysed the influence of the incorporation of flax fibres on the rheological properties (entrapped air, consistency, workability) and physico-chemical properties (pH, ATG). The physical properties (porosity, modulus of elasticity) and mechanical properties (compressive and tensile strength, toughness index) were measured by bending and compressive tests in the hardened state. These results clearly show that the presence of flax fibres significantly reduces the technological properties of cementitious pastes, because of the sensitivity of the fibres to the highly alkaline medium and their highly hydrophilic nature. The surface treatments of the experimental fibres (by using atmospheric plasma, cement grout coating, blast furnace slag or linseed oil) have effectively improved some properties of mortars, the degradation of the fibres within the cement matrix remain active over the long term (alkaline hydrolysis of the fibres and their mineralization under the action of calcium hydroxide). It therefore appears necessary to use alternative binders in an attempt to improve the durability of these plant fibre biocomposites. Thus, new formulations of mortars and concretes are proposed, in which the Portland cement is partially replaced by metakaolin / blast furnace slag or totally by sulfoaluminate cement, without prejudice to the rheological behaviour. The study of the new composites formulated with metakaolin or sulfoaluminate cement indicates high levels of mechanical strength and toughness. Their resistance to frost superior to conventional concrete or concrete incorporating glass fibres is due to the high air content (the fibres act as an air-entraining admixture).

<p>Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic second metabolites produced by <i>Aspergillus flavus </i>and<i> A. parasiticus</i>. They are widely detected in cereals, spices, and drinks worldwide. Aflatoxin contamination of foods and crops poses a high health risk for humans and livestock. It is well known that environmental conditions and substrates could influence fungal growth and aflatoxin production. This study tested the effect of water activity (0.82, 0.86, 0.90, 0.94, and 0.98 a_w) and incubation temperatures (20°, 27°, and 35°C) on the growth and aflatoxin production of <i>A. flavus </i>and <i>A. parasiticus</i> on ground flax seeds and ground niger seeds. The effect of oil contents of ground niger seeds on fungal growth and aflatoxin production was also investigated in this study.</p><p> These two fungal species could not grow on any of the tested substrates with 0.82 a_w at 20°, 27°, or 35°C. <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> grew most rapidly on flax seeds with 0.90 a_w at 27°C and also 0.94 a_w at 27° or 35°C. However, on niger seeds, <i>A. flavus </i>grew best at 0.90 or 0.94 a_w incubated at 35°C as well as at 0.94 or 0.98 a_w incubated at 27°C. <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i> showed the optimum growth on flax seeds with 0.90 a_w at 35°C, whereas on niger seeds, the optimum occurred on seeds with 0.90 a_w at 35°C and also on seeds with 0.94 a_w at 27° or 35°C. The optimum conditions for <i>A. flavus </i>to produce high levels of aflatoxins (270-299 μg/kg) on flax seeds were 0.90 a_w at 35°C; whereas, the optimum conditions for <i>A. flavus </i>to produce aflatoxin (203-278 μg/kg) on niger seeds were 0.90 or 0.98 a_w at 27°C and also 0.90 a_w at 35°C. <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i> produced high levels of aflatoxins (284-365 μg/kg) on flax seeds under the following three conditions, 0.86 or 0.98 a_w at 35°C and 0.94 a_w at 27°C; <i>A. parasiticus</i> produced 200-384 μg/kg of aflatoxins on niger seeds under nine out of 12 tested incubation conditions.</p><p> Reducing mean oil contents from 35.2 to 10.5% of ground niger seeds had very little effect on the growth of the two fungi but significantly decreased their aflatoxin production under certain incubation conditions. On de-oiled niger seeds inoculated with <i>A. flavus</i>, only 13μg/kg of AFB1 was found on seeds with 0.94 a_w at 27°C; whereas, on de-oiled niger seeds inoculated with <i>A. parasiticus</i>, high levels of aflatoxins (245-345 μg/kg) were only detected under the three following incubation conditions, 0.90 or 0.94 a_w at 27°C, and 0.86 a_w at 35°C.</p> This study showed that the optimum growth and aflatoxin production by <i>A. flavus </i>and<i> A. parasiticus </i>were not identical and influenced by incubation conditions, including temperature, water activity, and growth substrates. The results of this study could help establish guidelines for post-harvest and storage conditions for oil seeds to prevent fungal growth and aflatoxin formation.

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Les composites bio-sourcés et notamment à base de fibres de lin connaissent depuis quelques années un regain d’intérêt, particulièrement dans les domaines des transports, de la mobilité et des loisirs. En effet, le faible coût énergétique et environnemental de la fibre de lin lui confère un avantage face à la fibre de verre, tout en la concurrençant en termes de propriétés mécaniques spécifiques. Cependant le comportement à long terme en environnement humide des composites à base de fibres de lin reste méconnu et constitue un frein à leur utilisation à plus grande échelle. Les objectifs de ces travaux sont de donner des clés pour produire un composite lin/époxy de haute qualité et de contribuer à l’amélioration de la connaissance de la durabilité de ces matériaux. Tout d’abord, l’influence de nombreux paramètres de mise en œuvre [(i) le pré conditionnement des renforts, (ii) la température de cuisson, (iii) la pression appliquée lors de la cuisson, (iv) la vitesse de refroidissement, (v) la température de sortie de la plaque, (vi) la température de post-cuisson et (vii) la durée de post-cuisson] sur les propriétés mécaniques des composites a été étudiée afin d’obtenir des matériaux de haute qualité. Une méthode de vieillissement « réaliste » a ensuite été développée afin d’étudier la durabilité de ce type de composites en présence d’eau. Des cycles de vieillissements hygrothermiques ont ainsi été menés en laboratoire sur des éprouvettes de composite, de résine et des faisceaux de fibres. Puis des analyses multi-échelles basées sur des caractérisations physico-chimiques, microstructurales et morphologiques du composite lin/époxy au cours de ce vieillissement ont permis de mieux comprendre les mécanismes responsables de leurs évolutions de propriétés mécaniques longitudinales et transverses au cours du temps. / In recent years there is renewed interest for bio-sourced composites, including those based on flax fibers, and especially in the field of transport, mobility and leisure. In fact, the lower energy cost and environmental impact of flax fiber give it an advantage over glass fiber, while competing with its specific mechanical properties. However, flax fibers based composites long-term behavior remains poorly known in damp environments and constitutes an obstacle to a wider use. This work aims to provide adapted parameters to produce a high-grade flax/epoxy composite and to contribute to improve the durability knowledge of these materials. First, the influence of many processing parameters [(i) conditioning of the reinforcements, (ii) curing temperature, (iii) curing pressure, (iv) cooling speed, (v) exit temperature, (vi) post curing temperature and (vii) post curing duration] on the composites’ mechanical properties have been studied in order to manufacture high-grade materials. Then a “realistic” ageing method has been developed to study the durability of this kind of composites when exposed to water. Thus cyclic hygrothermal ageing has been applied to composite, resin and fiber bundles in the laboratory. Then multi-scale analyzes based on physicochemical, microstructural and morphological characterizations of the flax/epoxy composites helped to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the longitudinal and transverse mechanical properties’ evolutions over time.