Canola meal was used as an adsorbent in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus for ethanol dehydration. The experiments were conducted at different pressures, temperatures, vapor superficial velocities, vapor concentrations and particle sizes. Adsorption experiments were performed at equilibrium and breakthrough points. The results demonstrated that canola meal can break the azeotropic point 95.6 wt% and produce over 99 wt% ethanol. At elevated temperature, feed water concentration, and vapor superficial velocity, it was found that the mass transfer rate increased. In addition, the mass transfer rate decreases when either the total pressure or the size of the adsorbent particles are increased. Breakthrough curves were simulated and the overall mass transfer resistance was evaluated at all experimental runs. The internal mass transfer resistance was identified as the relevant mass transfer mechanism. For canola meal, the equilibrium water/ethanol uptake was achieved at 100, 105, and 110˚C. The Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) and Guggenheim-Andrson-de-Boer (GAB) models perfectly simulated the water adsorption isotherms. By applying Dubinin-Polanyi model to the experimental data, canola meal was identified as a large pore (non-porous) material. The heat of adsorption on canola meal with particle size of 0.43-1.18 mm was determined to be -32.11 kJ/mol. The result confirms that the adsorption process is an exothermic phenomenon and is of physical type due to the fact that the value obtained as the heat of adsorption is negative and its magnitude is within the range 20–80 kJ/mol. The equilibrium water uptake on canola meal was similar to that reported for other starchy and cellulosic adsorbents, while the ethanol uptake was higher. Water saturated canola meal was successfully regenerated by passing nitrogen at 110˚C which is lower than that for molecular sieves commonly used in industry for bioethanol dehydration. The canola meal bio-adsorbent was re-used for more than 32 cycles and no significant change in adsorption capacity was observed.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of feeding barley/canola meal pellets on feedlot performance, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), and feeding behaviour in feedlot steers. In trial 1, 350 beef steers (285 ± 22 kg) were backgrounded and finished on pelleted barley and canola meal (PB) or rolled barley and canola meal (RB) diets. Backgrounding DMI was lower (P < 0.05) for PB steers but ADG did not differ (P > 0.05) and feed efficiency (FE) tended (P < 0.1) to be improved. During finishing and the total trial DMI and ADG were lower (P < 0.05) but FE was improved (P < 0.05) for the PB treatment. Steers fed PB were on feed longer (P < 0.05). Steers fed PB showed more variation in DMI (P < 0.05) than steers fed RB. Carcass composition and quality were similar between the treatments.<p>Trial 2 utilized 4 ruminally fistulated beef steers in a 4 x 4 latin square, 2 x 2 factorial trial. Factors were processing (pelleted vs. rolled) and grain type (barley vs. corn). All treatments included canola meal. Each 23 d period consisted of a 19 d adaptation period followed by a 24 h rumen fluid collection period, and a 24 h eating behaviour study. There were no grain type x processing interactions (P > 0.05) or effect of grain type (P > 0.05) on any of the variables. Eating behaviour did not differ (P < 0.05) between treatments. Processing had no effect (P > 0.05) on rumen ammonia or volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, proportion of acetate or butyrate, or rumen osmolality. Steers fed pelleted grain had lower (P < 0.05) rumen pH measurements, a greater (P < 0.05) molar proportion of propionate, and decreased (P < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio. To reflect the feedlot trial corn was removed from the model. Rumen VFA concentration was higher (P < 0.05) and pH lower (P < 0.05) for the PB steers. Results show performance during backgrounding was improved but finishing performance depressed in PB steers. Further research is necessary to reduce the risk of SARA when feeding PB during finishing.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of feeding barley/canola meal pellets on feedlot performance, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), and feeding behaviour in feedlot steers. In trial 1, 350 beef steers (285 ± 22 kg) were backgrounded and finished on pelleted barley and canola meal (PB) or rolled barley and canola meal (RB) diets. Backgrounding DMI was lower (P < 0.05) for PB steers but ADG did not differ (P > 0.05) and feed efficiency (FE) tended (P < 0.1) to be improved. During finishing and the total trial DMI and ADG were lower (P < 0.05) but FE was improved (P < 0.05) for the PB treatment. Steers fed PB were on feed longer (P < 0.05). Steers fed PB showed more variation in DMI (P < 0.05) than steers fed RB. Carcass composition and quality were similar between the treatments.<p>Trial 2 utilized 4 ruminally fistulated beef steers in a 4 x 4 latin square, 2 x 2 factorial trial. Factors were processing (pelleted vs. rolled) and grain type (barley vs. corn). All treatments included canola meal. Each 23 d period consisted of a 19 d adaptation period followed by a 24 h rumen fluid collection period, and a 24 h eating behaviour study. There were no grain type x processing interactions (P > 0.05) or effect of grain type (P > 0.05) on any of the variables. Eating behaviour did not differ (P < 0.05) between treatments. Processing had no effect (P > 0.05) on rumen ammonia or volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, proportion of acetate or butyrate, or rumen osmolality. Steers fed pelleted grain had lower (P < 0.05) rumen pH measurements, a greater (P < 0.05) molar proportion of propionate, and decreased (P < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio. To reflect the feedlot trial corn was removed from the model. Rumen VFA concentration was higher (P < 0.05) and pH lower (P < 0.05) for the PB steers. Results show performance during backgrounding was improved but finishing performance depressed in PB steers. Further research is necessary to reduce the risk of SARA when feeding PB during finishing.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Jan. 7, 2010). "A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta." Includes bibliographical references.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value of black Brassica napus (BBN), yellow Brassica juncea (YBJ) and yellow Brassica napus (YBN) in pig diets. In experiment 1, effect of multi-carbohydrase supplementation on SID of AA in BBN, YBJ and YBN was evaluated in growing pigs. The YBJ had similar SID of AA to BBN and enzyme did not affect SID of most of AA. The second and third experiments investigated the effect of high dietary inclusion of BBN and YBJ on weaned pig performance and nutrient digestibility with enzyme supplementation. The studies showed that weaned pigs can be fed diets containing up to 250 g/kg of either BBN or YBJ. Enzyme supplementation improved the nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, BBN and YBJ had similar digestible nutrient contents and there were no detrimental effects detected when pigs were fed up to 250 g/kg of BBN and YBJ in weaned pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value of black Brassica napus (BBN), yellow Brassica juncea (YBJ) and yellow Brassica napus (YBN) in pig diets. In experiment 1, effect of multi-carbohydrase supplementation on SID of AA in BBN, YBJ and YBN was evaluated in growing pigs. The YBJ had similar SID of AA to BBN and enzyme did not affect SID of most of AA. The second and third experiments investigated the effect of high dietary inclusion of BBN and YBJ on weaned pig performance and nutrient digestibility with enzyme supplementation. The studies showed that weaned pigs can be fed diets containing up to 250 g/kg of either BBN or YBJ. Enzyme supplementation improved the nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, BBN and YBJ had similar digestible nutrient contents and there were no detrimental effects detected when pigs were fed up to 250 g/kg of BBN and YBJ in weaned pigs.

A significant challenge in large scale industrial production of butanol is its low product titer. Butanol needs to be purified to higher than 99% purity in order to be used for fuel applications. The focus of this study is to selectively remove water from butanol-water vapor to achieve fuel grade butanol in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system using biosorbents developed from agricultural byproduct canola meal (CM). CM was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) that CM contains polar groups such as hydroxyls, carboxyls, and amines in cellulose, hemi-cellulose and protein that have the potential for water adsorption. Physico-chemical characterizations were also done to understand the major composition, elemental make-up, devolatilization characteristics and particle size distribution of the CM used. The results demonstrated that biosorbent based on CM was able to successfully dry lower grade butanol and generate fuel grade butanol of over 99 v/v%. Five operating parameters were studied at two different levels to get the optimum process conditions for butanol drying, including temperature (95 and 111°C); pressure (135 and 201 kPa); feed butanol concentration (55 and 95 v/v %); feed flow rate (1.5 and 3 mL min-1) and particle size of adsorbent (0.425-1.18 mm and 4.7 mm pellets). Orthogonal array design (OAD) tool was used to design experiments and to evaluate the effects of these parameters. The performance of butanol dehydration was evaluated using five indices - water uptake; butanol uptake; water selectivity; butanol recovery; and maximum effluent butanol concentration in the effluent. The results demonstrated that feed butanol concentration, temperature and pressure were found to be the most significant factors overall, affecting most of the indices. The effects of individual operating parameters on each butanol dehydration index were determined and a set of optimum operating conditions were proposed by the range analysis of the orthogonal array design at 111oC, 135 kPa, feed butanol concentration of 55 v/v%, feed butanol-water liquid flowrate of 3 mL/min and biosorbent particle size of 0.43-1.18 mm. The experiments conducted at the above mentioned optimum conditions resulted in water uptake of 0.48 g/g-ads, water selectivity of 5.4, butanol recovery of 90%, and the maximum butanol concentration in the effluent being over 99 v/v% , which are better than that obtained at any other conditions investigated in this work. The Dubinin–Polanyi model based on adsorption potential theory displayed a goodness of fit to the water adsorption isotherm data with a r2 value of 0.95 and average relative error of just 3.5%. The mean free energy determined from the model was 0.02 kJ/mol indicated the adsorption is physical. Thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated which revealed that the water adsorption is exothermic and spontaneous. Water saturated adsorbent was regenerated at 110°C under vacuum and reusability was studied. The contribution of two major components of CM namely cellulose and protein were also examined for their capability to selectively remove water from butanol. The results showed both of them were able to dry water, however cellulose was found to have a higher water uptake and water selectivity than protein, indicating that it plays a major role in drying butanol. In order to compare the performance of CM on drying of butanol with other biomaterials, adsorption experiments were done using corn meal as adsorbent, which is one of the most common starch based biosorbents for ethanol drying. The results demonstrated that canola meal had a higher water uptake and water selectivity than corn meal. Use of CM over corn meal adsorbent is also desirable so as to avoid placing pressure on food consumption. In addition, drying of butanol using other cellulose based biosorbents such as oat hull was also explored. Oat hull demonstrated a potential to adsorb water and dehydrate butanol, which requires further in-depth investigation.

Two trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of inclusion level of canola meal derived from Brassica (B.) napus and B. juncea on cattle performance and nutrient utilization. Trial 1 consisted of backgrounding (54 d) and finishing (153 d) phases. The control diet for the backgounding (BK) phase consisted of 39% barley silage, 30.4% barley grain, 22.8% brome grass hay and 7.8% supplement (DM). Treatments consisted of B. napus or B. juncea at 15 or 30% (DM) inclusion, replacing barley grain. The finishing control diet consisted of 88.3% barley grain, 4.4% barley silage and 7.3% supplement (DM). Treatments consisted of B. napus or B. juncea at 10 or 20% (DM) inclusion, replacing barley grain. During BK, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain: feed (G:F) increased linearly (P < 0.01) as the level of inclusion of B. juncea meal increased. Cattle fed B. napus meal showed a quadratic response (P = 0.05) in DMI and linear increase (P = 0.02) in ADG with increasing inclusion. During finishing, DMI increased linearly (P = 0.05) for cattle fed B. juncea meal while a quadratic response (P = 0.02) was seen with B. napus meal. Feed efficiency and NEg content of the diet (P ≤ 0.02) decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of both meals. Trial 2 evaluated dietary rumen fermentation and total tract digestibility characteristics in a 5 x 5 Latin Square Design. Diets were similar to finishing phase of Trial 1. There was no effect of treatment on rumen pH, however a linear increase in acetate (P ≤ 0.01), ammonia (P < 0.01) and decrease (P < 0.01) in propionate was seen with both meal types. Crude protein and acid detergent fiber digestibility increased (P = 0.03) linearly with increasing inclusion of B. juncea meal. The results indicate that canola meal derived from B. napus and B. juncea is not suitable as a supplemental energy source replacing for barley grain in finishing diets but canola meal from B. juncea can be fed at levels up to 30% of the DM in backgrounding diets if priced appropriately.

Canola meal (Brassica napus L.) and oriental mustard bran (Brassica juncea) were subjected to alkali and acid pretreatment to expose pentosan, for enhancing further enzymatic hydrolysis by endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum for the production of oligosaccharides. Pretreatment especially with alkali, effectively increased the relative content of pentosan to about ~ 41% and ~ 72%. Alkali pretreated canola meal and mustard bran resulted in a pentose content of 2.28 ± 0.15 g and 3.20 ± 0.11 g per 100 g substrates at 18 h and 24 h of reaction respectively, which corresponded to ~ 26% and ~ 28% conversion of original pentosan in substrates. UPLC-MS data showed xyloglucuronic acid (XGlcA) as the major oligosaccharide in the hydrolyzates. Reversed-phase HPLC-DAD indicated the principal phenolic compound in the hydrolyzates was sinapine. DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that endoxylananse hydrolyzates of acid pretreated substrates had strong antioxidant activities in comparison to alkali pretreated samples.

Experiments were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for tail-end dehulling of canola meal (CM) and the production of high-protein, high-energy and low-fiber CM. The use of sieves from 250-600µm resulted in the production of dehulled fractions 1 and 2 from three different types of CM. On average, and in comparison with their parent meals, the dehulled fractions 1 and 2 contained less dietary fiber (19.4 and 22.9 vs. 27.5%) and more protein (44.5 and 43.1 vs. 40.1%), respectively. Growth performance experiments were conducted with broiler chickens and weaned piglets fed diets containing dehulled CM fractions. In the broiler chicken trial, no significant differences for feed intake, BWG and feed efficiency were observed, indicating that CM and its low-fiber fractions could replace SBM in the broiler pre-starter diets at a lower cost. In the swine experiment, a beneficial effect of dehulling on final body weight and feed efficiency was observed.