Background: During de-pulping of açai (Euterpe oleracea) for juice production in the Amazonia, large amounts of fibrous waste are daily discarded, a promising substrate for production of high-value cellulose nanofibrils. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the modifications of açai surface fibers submitted to chemical pretreatment steps and compare the quality of nanostructured films produced with different cycles of mechanical nanofibrillation. Results:A 2-hour pretreatment (at 5% of NaOH) followed by two NaOH/H 2 O 2 bleaching steps resulted in fibers with increased length and reduced diameter compared to raw fibers while preserving fiber integrity and cellulose I structure. The increase of fibers' grinding cycles from 3 (minimum to gel point) to 21 (maximum suspension thickness) resulted in nanofibril films with higher crystallinity properties, uniform thickness, compacted morphology, and smoother surface. Nanofibril films formed after different numbers of passages exhibited similar mechanical strength, but distinct barrier properties. Conclusion:Açaí waste films produced with fibers submitted to 3 grinding cycles can be recommended for packaging applications that demand easily dissolving, such as instantaneous food. Oppositely, açaí fibers subjected to 21 cycles in grinder provide films suitable for water-resistant packaging, ideal for secondary coatings of papers and paperboards.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as modificações de propriedades físicas das madeiras de três espécies tropicais de interesse comercial por tratamentos térmicos conduzidos com diferentes temperaturas e tempos de exposição ao calor. Amostras de madeira de Pouteria caimito, Protium altissimum e Jacaranda copaia foram submetidas a modificações térmicas a 180 e 240 °C, ambas por 1 e 2 h. Foram avaliadas redução de massa, densidade básica e contração volumétrica das madeiras. O tratamento de 2 h a 240 °C causou maior redução de massa para todas as espécies. Pouteria caimito e Protium altissimum não apresentaram diferença significativa na densidade básica e contração volumétrica entre os tratamentos térmicos. A redução de massa, que confirma a efetividade dos tratamentos térmicos, aliada à manutenção da densidade é básica, é benéfica para a qualidade das madeiras. Jacaranda copaia apresentou maior estabilidade dimensional, mas foi mais afetada pelas variações dos tratamentos com diminuição da densidade básica da madeira quando submetida a 180 ºC por 1 h e 240 ºC por 2 h. A secagem das madeiras não tratadas, assim como os tratamentos térmicos, diminui a capacidade de adsorção de água e o volume saturado, resultando em contrações volumétricas similares às das madeiras termicamente tratadas.   Palavras-chave: secagem da madeira; hornificação; densidade básica; contração volumétrica.   Basic density and dimensional stability of tropical woods modified by thermal treatments   ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the wood physical properties’ modifications from three commercially interesting tropical species by thermal treatments carried out with different temperatures and heat exposure times. Wood samples of Pouteria caimito, Protium altissimum, and Jacaranda copaia were submitted to thermal modifications at 180 and 240 °C, both for 1 and 2 h. The mass reduction, basic density, and volumetric contraction were evaluated. The treatment of 2 h at 240 °C caused the highest mass reduction for all species. Pouteria caimito and Protium altissimum did not significantly differ in basic density and volumetric contraction of wood among thermal treatments. The mass reduction, which confirms the effectiveness of thermal treatments, allied to the maintenance of basic density, benefits the wood quality. Jacaranda copaia showed the greatest dimensional stability, but it was the most affected species by the variations of thermal treatments with decreases in basic wood density when submitted to 180 ºC for 1 h and 240 ºC for 2 h. The drying of the samples, as well as the thermal treatments, may decrease the water adsorption and saturated volume, resulting in volumetric contractions similar to those of thermally treated samples. Keywords: wood drying; hornification; basic density; volumetric contraction.

No abstract

No abstract